500 new jobs will 'absolutely be going ahead' in Lowestoft

Lowestoft has been pledged a direct jobs boost from the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast - with at least 500 clean energy jobs set to be created during the works.

And officials have said that as the long term Sizewell C project gathers pace in East Suffolk, Lowestoft is set to be in a "unique position" to grasp the benefits of clean energy with the town's new jobs boost "absolutely going ahead".

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato and Julia Pyke sign the 500 new jobs pledge for Lowestoft. Picture: Sizewell C (Image: Sizewell C) It comes after a new agreement was signed by Lowestoft MP Jess Asato and Sizewell C joint managing director Julia Pyke - which pledged the creation of 500 jobs for the town.

The project has already said that at least a third of its construction workforce - or 2,600 people - will come from East Anglia.

Now, this latest commitment – one of a series – means people from Lowestoft are ideally placed to benefit from thousands of career and development opportunities the huge construction project will create.

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato and Marjorie Barnes, Head of Regional External Affairs and Development at Sizewell C, with Rachel Bunn, Director of Commercial, Projects and Community (left) and Paul Padda, Principal and CEO at East Coast College (right). (Image: Mick Howes) At its peak, the nuclear power plant will employ 7,900 people during construction.

But with a range of roles and positions required, it means the 500 jobs pledged for Lowestoft can see locals "benefit directly from those significant employment opportunities on site", according to Sizewell C.

The "exciting" announcement was confirmed at Nucleus - a new employability hub at East Coast College in Lowestoft that opened in partnership with Sizewell C last month.

With Nucleus set to play an important role in ensuring people in the area are job ready – providing employment search assistance and application and interview support to those looking to secure employment, not only at Sizewell C, but across the region, Lowestoft MP Jess Asato said the Nucleus Employability Hub is "a place that symbolises the bright future we're creating for Lowestoft".

Ms Asato added: "I stood in the election promising that our community would benefit from clean energy jobs, which is why I'm so proud that I can announce that I've signed an agreement with Sizewell C that will bring 500 jobs to Lowestoft.

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato and Marjorie Barnes, Head of Regional External Affairs and Development at Sizewell C, with Rachel Bunn, Director of Commercial, Projects and Community (left) and Paul Padda, Principal and CEO at East Coast College (right). (Image: Mick Howes)

"Alongside £150,000 invested in the Nucleus Employability Hub and £100,000 in Sam's Cafe on Bevan Street.

"This announcement is more than about numbers - it's about making sure young people growing up in Lowestoft today can realise their dreams in the town they love.

"You can study at one of our local specialist colleges, search for jobs at the Nucleus Employability Hub or attend a jobs fair at Sam's Cafe.

"It means that young people can look forward to a future career in the nuclear industry which is on their doorstep, and they can stay in the town that they love.

"Lowestoft is in a unique position to grasp the benefits of clean energy."

To further support the pledge, Sizewell C will run two community-focused jobs fairs each year, ensuring the roles are "accessible to everyone in our town" as well as recruitment advertising.

Julia Pyke, joint managing director of Sizewell C, said: "We’ve issued around £5m of contracts so far to suppliers in Lowestoft.

"Through partnerships with East Coast College and Access Community Trust, we’re working to ensure people in the town can access the jobs and career opportunities this project provides."

The official opening of the new Nucleus Employability Hub at East Coast College in Lowestoft last month. Sarah Hancock, HR Director for Sizewell C, and Rachel Bunn, Director of Commercial, Projects and Community at the college, inside the centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Rachel Bunn, director of commercial, projects and community at East Coast College in Lowestoft said the new Nucleus Employability Hub is a "one-stop shop" as it provides a long-term legacy for the Lowestoft area and beyond.

She said: "We are already getting lots of enquiries from the community who are wanting to find out more - and Nucleus will continue to grow and grow."

Minister for energy security and net zero, Lord Hunt, said: "Sizewell C pledging hundreds of jobs for people in the nearby town of Lowestoft is a prime example of how new nuclear can directly support local communities.

“Our clean energy superpower mission is not just about taking back control of our energy system to protect consumers – it is also about powering economic growth through good jobs."

Visit the Nucleus Employability Hub online or call 0800 854 695.