The new rig is located at Hinkley Point C’s Mechanical Centre of Excellence (MCoE), and simulates a live construction environment
The Hinkley mechanical training rig is intended to increase the productivity of construction workers on the Hinkley Point C site via ECITB training courses.
The new rig allows for rehearsal of working with galleries on site, pipefitting, lifting, and rigging techniques through realistic learning experiences.
The first training session has already taken place, where Rigging Apprentices performed a safe lift and a fleet of pipework from ground level to the first level, through a narrow hatch in the floor.
The Hinkley mechanical training rig enhances existing ECITB learning courses
Hinkley Point C’s Mechanical Centre of Excellence was originally opened in 2022, and was co-funded by the ECITB for £350,000. It is one of three centres.
The Centre delivers the Hinkley Support Operative (HSO) Silver and Bronze Programmes, which are a series of ECITB short courses combined with a CNSG Safety Passport that trains new operatives to working at Hinkley Point C.
Adrian Wookey, ECITB’s head of new entrants, training pathways and further education strategy, said: “HPC has delivered over 1,500 apprenticeships to date, and our three Centres of Excellence have been pivotal in that. This new investment is a fantastic demonstration of HPC’s ongoing commitment to skills in nuclear, skills in Somerset and skills across the engineering construction sector that will continue to reinforce that the UK is at the cutting edge of nuclear new build.
“As a former apprentice, I am delighted to see the next generation of talent entering the industry and look forward to seeing their journeys continue.”
ECITB are working to tackle the skills shortage
Several skills-related projects are being funded by the ECITB in order to tackle the severe skills shortage the country is facing. The Energy Transition Skills Hub has received £400,000 in funding from the Board to create a welding academy, with 32 welding bays.
Furthermore, in April, ECITB announced an investment of £2m into Regional Skills Hubs over the next two years, following an initial £1m investment the previous year.
These skills hubs will be located in the Black Country, the East Coast, North West England, Scotland, South Wales, and the Solent.
At the time, Andrew Hockey, ECITB chief executive, said: “Without a pipeline of trained, skilled workers all this risks not being achieved, which is why we are keen to work with more clients, contractors, training providers and industry partners to invest in growing the number of skilled workers needed for other major engineering construction projects now and in the future.”
Regarding the new Hinkley mechanical training rig, Simon Lafferty, MEH programme director, said: “HPC has delivered over 1,500 apprenticeships to date, and our three Centres of Excellence have been pivotal in that. This new investment is a fantastic demonstration of HPC’s ongoing commitment to skills in nuclear, skills in Somerset and skills across the engineering construction sector that will continue to reinforce that the UK is at the cutting edge of nuclear new build.
“As a former apprentice, I am delighted to see the next generation of talent entering the industry and look forward to seeing their journeys continue”
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