Key Takeaways
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Velocity: Unit 2 is tracking 20 to 30% faster than Unit 1.
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Efficiency: Steel installation speeds have increased by 45%.
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Future: This success validates the replication model for Sizewell C.
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Opportunity: Recruitment is shifting from construction to operational roles.
The arrival of the second Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) at Hinkley Point C is more than a photo opportunity. While the 500-tonne steel cylinder is an impressive sight, the real story for our industry is velocity.
Data confirms that teams are building Unit 2 approximately 20 to 30% faster than Unit 1.
For candidates and clients alike, this efficiency shift changes the landscape. We are moving from First of a Kind learning to Nth of a Kind optimisation. Here is what the data tells us about the future of the UK nuclear workforce.
How much faster is Hinkley Point C Unit 2 construction?
Unit 2 is tracking 20 to 30% faster than Unit 1 due to the Fleet Effect.
Building identical reactors in sequence has long been a theoretical benefit, but the construction of Unit 2 has provided the hard data to prove it works. By replicating the EPR design, the project has delivered measurable productivity gains across the critical path:
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Overall Velocity: 20 to 30% reduction in build time.
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Steel Installation: Optimised rebar sequencing boosted speed by 45%.
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Cooling Systems: Modular techniques drove a 50% speed increase.
The Millbank View: This creates a new baseline for the sector. The workforce required for Sizewell C will not be starting from zero. They will be deploying a methodology that has already proven to deliver double-digit efficiency gains.
What logistics were involved in the reactor arrival?
The journey of the RPV highlights a sector often overshadowed by nuclear physics, which is complex project logistics.
Managed by the Osprey Group, the operation was a masterclass in intermodal transport:
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Shipped from France to Avonmouth.
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Transported by barge to Combwich Wharf.
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Moved via Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) to the site.
This demonstrates that nuclear recruitment extends far beyond the reactor core. It relies on a supply chain of Marine Superintendents, Heavy Lift Engineers and Infrastructure Planners. The success of this operation sets the precedent for Sizewell C where beach landing facilities will play an even larger role.
What does this mean for Sizewell C recruitment?
The arrival of the reactor signals that the Hinkley Point C construction phase is maturing. A massive and highly skilled workforce will soon become available for migration.
The strategic imperative is to transfer this proven capability to Sizewell C. The Civil Works Alliance (CWA) and MEH Alliance are designed to facilitate this migration ensuring that the corporate memory of Unit 2 is not lost.
For Candidates: This offers stability. The skills you have honed in Somerset, whether in nuclear-grade concrete placement or complex rebar fixing, are your passport to the next decade of work in Suffolk. We are here to support that transition ensuring you do not face a gap in employment.
When should I apply for operational roles?
Recruitment for the operational phase is a current priority and not a future task.
While construction dominates the skyline, the arrival of the reactor initiates the countdown to power generation. Hinkley Point C will require a permanent workforce of approximately 900 highly specialised staff to operate the plant for its 60-year lifespan.
Roles such as Reactor Operators, Safety Case Engineers and Maintenance Technicians have training lead times of up to two years. If you are looking to pivot from construction to operations, the time to engage with us is now.
Your Next Move
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For Clients: The data from Unit 2 proves that the Fleet Effect reduces risk. Millbank is ready to support the migration of these optimised teams to your next project.
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For Candidates: The industry is accelerating. Whether you are looking to transfer your skills to Sizewell C or pivot into the long-term operational team, we can guide your next move.
