Suffolk Residents Secure Construction Jobs Through Skills Bootcamps at Sizewell

Programme Overview

Engage Train Support Ltd, expert in-community social value training provider, has strategically partnered with CarmichaelUK, specialist construction labour supplier and recruitment agency, to deliver targeted Introduction to Construction Skills Bootcamps across Suffolk. The aim is to connect local residents directly into long-term employment opportunity on the Sizewell C project.

Working under this strategic partnership, Engage Train Support Ltd and CarmichaelUK have leveraged their respective specialisms of structured training and targeted construction recruitment to develop a tailored programme supporting the needs of contractors on the Sizewell C project. They have further collaborated with Sizewell C Contractor HW Martin to support their ambitious and market leading local employment commitments.

Training took place at the Waterloo Centre in Leiston, supporting the local circular economy, and was funded by Suffolk and Norfolk County Councils and the Department for Education.

The Access-Skills Gap

Large infrastructure projects such as Sizewell C require a skilled, safety-conscious workforce at scale, but many local residents face barriers to entering these long-term employment opportunities. These barriers may include long-term unemployment, career changes, caring responsibilities, health challenges, or limited access to training and job opportunities.

At the same time, employers need work-ready candidates with recognised certifications and the confidence to operate safely on live construction sites.

The challenge was to connect local people with real employment opportunities while ensuring they had the qualifications, knowledge and confidence to succeed. In addressing the ‘Access-Skills Gap’ the programme removes the final barriers, imparts the required skills and grants access to employers, unlocking the potential of local talent for the Sizewell C project.

The Collaborative Solution

Engage, Train, Support Ltd in partnership with CarmichaelUK developed a targeted Skills Bootcamp model that combines:

- Employer-informed course design

- Industry-recognised qualifications

- Guaranteed job interviews

- Personal development and confidence building

- Ongoing one-to-one employment support

Learners gained essential certifications including health and safety, first aid, manual handling, COSHH awareness, abrasive wheels training, CPCS A73 plant & vehicle marshalling and CSCS Labourer accreditation.

Crucially, the programme blended technical learning with personal development, empowering learners to feel confident in themselves and their upcoming initial steps into the construction industry. This confidence beyond traditional training programmes truly empowers learners to showcase their future potential and feel confident in their future long-term construction careers.

Driving Change and Meaningful Outcomes

The results of the initial courses highlight the impact of a collaborative partnership in delivering local impact and lifelong career opportunities:

- 47% of participants secured job offers within two weeks of starting the course

- 7 candidates placed with leading contractor HW Martin

- Remaining learners are receiving tailored wrap around support for 6 months

- All participants gained industry-recognised qualifications

- Employers gained access to job-ready local candidates

- The programme supported inclusive access to opportunities linked to major infrastructure investment

Beyond the immediate individual successes of candidates, this programme has been instrumental in highlighting the power of a structured, collaborative and inclusive delivery model in producing meaningful and lifechanging local impact.

Continued Commitment

Engage Train Support and CarmichaelUK commit to their continued partnership in the Suffolk and Norfolk area as we look to unlock local potential for the UK’s largest infrastructure project, Sizewell C.

Embedded in the local community the partnership looks to continue the growing programme success collaborating with local supply chain partners, charitable organisations and inclusive employer to deliver meaningful local impact.

The programme provides a proven model for inclusive workforce development, connecting local talent with real employment opportunities while supporting the long-term resilience of the construction sector.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Leon Taylor, Training Manager, Engage Train Support Ltd

"We are proud to deliver real pathways into employment for our learners. It’s not just about gaining qualifications - it’s about building confidence, reinforcing safe systems of work and preparing people for the realities of site life. Seeing learners secure roles at Sizewell C is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their commitment and hard work."

Kerryn Wotton, Managing Director, Engage Train Support Ltd

“By supporting local people into recognised qualifications and guaranteed interviews, the Skills Bootcamp is making sure large-scale infrastructure projects don’t just build roads and power stations - they’re build stronger, more resilient local communities in the heart of Suffolk.

We are incredibly grateful to Carmichael UK for championing this programme and helping ensure our learners move straight from training into real jobs. They've been a driving force - their support has helped open doors and create lasting opportunities for local people.

We would also like to thank HW Martin for offering employment opportunities to our learners at Sizewell C. Providing guaranteed interviews - and then converting those into job offers - demonstrates what can be achieved when employers actively invest in local talent. We want to see more employers like HW Martin joining us. If you have vacancies to fill, we have fantastic candidates ready to work.”

Rod Carmichael, Chief Executive Officer, CarmichaelUK

"The success of this strategic partnership is built up the shared vision and value aligned of our two businesses. It is immensely rewarding to see our respective specialisms deliver real, meaningful and human outcomes. Starting my career on site myself back in Ireland, I fully appreciate how impactful the removal of barriers can be in unlocking a lifelong construction career.

I look forward to supporting this programme to impact more local residents and showcase the power of this model to the industry – it would be amazing to see this collaboration model to become the norm across the UK construction industry."

Jennie Gallagher, Accounts Director, CarmichaelUK

"The success of the Bootcamp has been driven by our early partnership with Engage Train and Support, and by adapting the programme to ensure it’s accessible and aligned with the needs of local employers.

Carmichael initially promoted the courses to our extensive database of local candidates, which helped broaden the talent pool. I personally enjoyed meeting candidates ahead of the Bootcamps; giving them an overview of the Sizewell C project and the employment opportunities available has been invaluable, particularly for those with little or no previous exposure to major civil engineering schemes.

As the programme has developed, we’ve been able to involve employers at an earlier stage. HW Martin, for example, have adapted to make themselves available to interview prospective candidates during the first week of the course. This has brought some enjoyable logistical challenges — coordinating interviews around the training schedule and our busy employers, ensuring candidates are prepared for interviews and calming nerves! By committing to these early interviews, HW Martin can start onboarding immediately, reducing the gap between training completion and employment.

I’m excited to follow the progress of the learners and feel proud to contribute to the lasting local legacy of Sizewell C."

Mike McTeague – Project Director, HW Martin

"This initiative from ETS and CarmichaelUK to provide HW Martin access to newly trained Traffic Marshalls has been invaluable for our contract at Sizewell C.

Thanks to Jennie from CarmichaelUK for coordinating interviews in Leiston, prescreening and preparing candidates, and keeping us informed throughout the onboarding process."

Matt Graham, DWP

“ETS have provided Jobcentre Plus and our candidates with first-class construction training since we began working with them in December 2025. Their programme is structured to deliver high-quality, intensive industry training over a two-week period, followed by a guaranteed interview with a construction employer on the final day.

We are already seeing a steady number of participants progressing into employment upon completion of the course, and the continued support that ETS provides is invaluable for those who need a little more time to secure the right opportunity. This partnership is making a tangible difference to jobseekers in our community and is helping to meet the growing demand for skilled labour in the construction sector.”

For further information, please contact: Kerryn Wotton Managing Director Engage, Train, Support Ltd kerryn.wotton@ets-uk.training 07508812294