'I've gone from flipping burgers to building Hinkley Point C' - Meet the young apprentices working on major UK nuclear power plant

Mike Taylor
·4-min read

A man has gone from flipping burgers at McDonald's to working at one of the largest construction sites in Europe. Hinkley Point C, which is set to be the UK's first new nuclear plant since the 1990s, is expected to be finished by 2031 and cost up to £34 billion.

A report by EDF shared the new figures in Hinkley Point C’s 2024 Socio-Economic Impact Report sought to demonstrate how the multi-billion project near Bridgwater was improving the local economy and businesses in Somerset and beyond. EDF adds the new nuclear power station is helping thousands of people to get new skills and higher paid jobs.

Since opening in 2015 with a £1.5 million investment from Hinkley Point C, the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre replicates a construction site and provides training in skilled work such as steel fixing and crane supervision. Training programmes are delivered in association with Hinkley Point C’s contractors, with students later securing jobs on-site or with local businesses.

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Daniel Bosisto, aged 27, became a steel fixing apprentice and was keen to get stuck in one of Europe's biggest construction sites. Daniel had previously worked at McDonald's but now has gone from serving Big Macs to constructing steel cages to form beams, walls, columns and suspended slabs.

The Cardiff resident said: "I worked for McDonald's before enrolling on my apprenticeship. I’ve gone from flipping burgers to learning how to build parts of a nuclear power station! Part of my training is being done in the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre at Bridgwater & Taunton College.

"It’s so realistic – with everything like plant, machinery and equipment. We learn different techniques from instructors and are prepared for life out on the construction site."

17-year-old Evie Holdsworth was keen to kick start her career and start earning as soon as possible after school. She has been a Geospatial Surveying Apprentice for six months with the MEH Alliance, which sees the contractor installing equipment, pipes and cables across the site.

The Bridgwater teenager said: "Starting so soon after school meant that I didn’t get the six-week summer holiday – but it was totally worth it! I’ve been working closely with the project’s surveyors on the construction site and now I’m being given more responsibility to carry out measurements by myself which feels great.

"Getting an apprenticeship locally also means I can continue living at home, which is a big bonus. I’d like to get a job on the construction site when I qualify, and then I’d like to move on to other infrastructure projects – either here in the UK or abroad. It has really opened doors for me."

Hinkley Point C also offers a supported traineeship with a 10-week programme that helps young adults with additional needs, such as autism, get their first step on the job ladder. Each candidate is provided with training before undertaking work experience on the project, which leads to an interview.

Callum Organ, aged 22, has high functioning autism and was undertaking work experience in a local cafe but wanted a paid job. After successfully completing Hinkley Point C’s Supported Traineeship in 2023 he has a full-time role on site.

He said: "I was nervous at first, especially when it came to catching the bus, but everyone in my team was friendly and supportive. I enjoyed being given a tour of the building site, getting health and safety training and learning how to work in the PPE stores.

"My instructors were nice and helped me prepare for my interview, and I was offered the job permanently. I am proud of myself and so is my family. People should apply for the programme – it's really helped me."

Hinkley Point C will provide 900 permanent jobs for at least 60 years. The Sedgemoor area is seeing a growth in the number of small and medium sized companies that is ten times higher than anywhere else in the South West with ten new companies employing 250-500 people since 2011. £5.3 billion has now been spent directly with businesses across the region

Daniel Bosisto previously worked at McDonald's but now has gone from serving Big Macs to constructing steel cages to form beams, walls, columns and suspended slabs.
Daniel Bosisto previously worked at McDonald's but now has gone from serving Big Macs to constructing steel cages to form beams, walls, columns and suspended slabs.

Hinkley Point C’s Managing Director, Stuart Crooks said: “As a former apprentice, I know that giving people the chance to learn new skills can change lives and communities for the better This report shows that our big investment in Net Zero nuclear electricity is playing a vital role in tackling problems of low growth, poor productivity and inequality.

“Our investment is a one-hundred-year commitment to the area. I am pleased that we are making a difference and I am determined that our social impact will endure for many years to come.”

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