Sizewell C’s latest announcement to establish a new post-16 college in Leiston marks a powerful step toward building the future of UK engineering and energy talent. From our perspective at Millbank, this is more than just another development - it represents the kind of long-term, skills-focused investment that directly supports the sectors we work so closely with, including nuclear, infrastructure, and energy.
The planned college, opening in 2027 in partnership with Suffolk New College, will deliver a blend of technical, vocational and academic education. This training is not only geared to the future workforce needs of Sizewell C but also to the wider industry demands across the UK. With up to 540 local apprentices expected to benefit, the institution aims to tackle barriers to education and employment in rural areas - something we’ve long recognised as vital for broadening access to meaningful careers.
Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, describes the college as a way to create a “highly skilled, homegrown workforce”. It’s a sentiment we at Millbank fully support. We know how essential it is to foster engineering and technical talent at the grassroots level - especially as the UK pushes ahead with its net-zero ambitions and major infrastructure programmes.
The fact that Sizewell C is going beyond its planning requirements to deliver this initiative speaks volumes about the commitment to community impact and long-term workforce development.
As Alan Pease of Suffolk New College notes, the campus will not only support Sizewell C, but the broader region too. This aligns with the wider skillsets required across the energy, transport, and construction sectors - and it's something we’re keenly interested in as we continue supporting our clients with top-tier talent.
For graduates preparing to leave university this summer, this announcement shines a light on the opportunities opening up in areas like nuclear engineering, civil construction, and project delivery.
At Millbank, we’re currently recruiting for roles such as Graduate Engineers, Project Controls Assistants, Construction Coordinators, and Nuclear Safety Specialists - and initiatives like this college help ensure that future applicants are better equipped, more local, and increasingly diverse.
We're passionate about the growth of the nuclear sector and the talent pipeline that sustains it. The investment in education and apprenticeships near Sizewell C is a positive signal - and one that will help secure a stronger, smarter workforce for years to come.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk "Sizewell C announces plan to build post-16 college" by Alice Cunningham
