The milestone of achieving 250 apprentices working on the new nuclear site at Hinkley Point C near Burnham-On-Sea was recognised by the Business Secretary Greg Clark during his first visit to the site on Friday (May 25th).
Site owners EDF set an ambition of 1,000 apprentices working on the project during its lifespan, and today, a quarter of these places has already been fulfilled.
Mr Clark, along with Energy Minister Richard Harrington, met some of the apprentices and staff working on the site, and saw the significant progress that has been made. They were joined by the French Ambassador to the UK, Jean-Pierre Jouyet.
The site remains on track to meet its next major milestone, the 2019 nuclear concrete construction target, J0 (pronounced ‘J-Zero’), which is the completion of the foundations for the first reactor – and energy production is expected to start in 2025.
Stuart Crooks, Managing Director of Hinkley Point C, said: “The project is making great progress and is on track to hit its first major milestone on time next year.”
“It is already making a significant positive impact on British industry, employment and skills and I am delighted that we have already seen our 250th apprentice join the team.”
“We are developing talent which will have a long-term benefit for industry and the UK’s industrial capacity and we are determined to deliver the low-carbon energy Britain needs, with a relentless focus on quality.”
The contract for Hinkley was signed between the UK government and EDF on 29 September 2016, and currently there are 3,100 staff working on site every day.
The site is generating work both in the region and nationally, with contracts valued at £9.4 billion now having been signed. It is also benefitting the supply chain, with the total value of the construction budget to UK companies having reached the target of 64%.
EDF has also set up a £20 million Community Fund to be spent on improvements for communities most affected by the development of Hinkley Point C.
