EDF investment enables 5000 people to kick start careers across the UK
22/04/2026
EDF continues to invest in its national apprenticeship, graduate and industrial training programmes to help build the skilled workforce Britain needs for the clean-energy transition. With around three million workers requiring reskilling and large numbers of young people not in work, education or training, apprenticeships and other training programmes are essential for developing the next generation of talent.
To help deliver its UK business priorities, EDF is continuing to invest in hiring and training young people through various programmes, including apprenticeships. The 2026 intake will span nuclear operations, new nuclear projects, renewables and central support functions, from technical roles to human resources (HR), reflecting the wide range of skills needed across the energy and construction sector.
EDF continues to invest strongly in its new nuclear projects. The Hinkley Point C (HPC)site in Somerset has now trained more than 1700 apprentices, surging past its original target of 1000 and creating long-term career opportunities in over 70 specialisms. It has also provided opportunities for nearly 1000 people to experience a 16-week training programme, with two thirds being offered roles.
At Sizewell C in Suffolk, which EDF helped to develop and has a 12.5% stake in, the project is looking to enable 1500 apprentices throughout construction, including 540 from the local area, and recently welcomed its 100th apprentice to site. Across EDF’s nuclear fleet, more than 200 apprentices are currently working at its stations from Torness near Edinburgh to Heysham in Lancashire and Sizewell B in Suffolk.
The impact of EDF’s programmes is best seen through the experiences of its apprentices. Amy, an Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice at Heysham 2 power station in Morecambe, joined EDF to gain hands-on experience in the nuclear industry.
She said: “It is a very exciting sector with huge opportunities, especially as EDF works to help electrify Britain’s future. I did not want to go to university and this apprenticeship provides me with real experience without the debt, and far more practical learning.”
Having already achieved a Level 3 in Engineering at Bridgwater & Taunton College, Amy is now working towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC) while gaining on-site experience. “Every day is different. We work across all parts of the plant, starting with a safety briefing before heading out with technicians. The support has been amazing, from coordinators and mentors to regular reviews with college teams.”
She added: “EDF supported me to move to Somerset for two years to work at a live nuclear power station. I have taken part in volunteering initiatives and made friends for life. Success to me means being the best I can be, and EDF helps me achieve that.”
Carol McArthur, Chief People Officer at EDF UK, said: “At EDF we know that creating long-term, high-quality careers is essential to securing Britain’s low-carbon future. National Apprenticeship Week was an excellent opportunity to showcase the range of roles available and to show how apprenticeships open doors for people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they are starting out in engineering or exploring emerging professions such as cybersecurity or project management.”
Over the coming year, EDF will also support EDF Power Solutions’ 2030 skills strategy and oversee the transition of apprentices to Nuclear Restoration Services (formerly Magnox) as fuel-free stations Hunterston B and Hinkley point B move into their next phase.
As part of its strategy to support the next generation of talent, EDF has partnered with upReach, an award winning social mobility charity that helps more than 3000 undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds access and sustain graduate career opportunities.
EDF sets aside a number of graduate positions within its HPC Nuclear Graduate Scheme and Industrial Placements in Nuclear Services specifically for upReach participants. Following a successful recruitment process, EDF has offered roles to 16 upReach candidates as part of its 2026 intake.
EDF is driving the transition towards ‘An Electric Britain’, a secure, affordable, low-carbon future for everyone. As Britain’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity, the company is investing more than £100 million weekly in Britain’s electricity infrastructure. The company supplies millions of customers with electricity and helps homes and businesses switch to electricity for heating, transport and industrial processes.
www.edfenergy.com
