JOB creation on the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station construction site has become a family affair for some locals.
The development, the largest outdoor construction site in Europe, will see up to 15,000 workers on location at any one time when it hits its peak workrate.
Among them will be three generations of the Roberts family and two from the Mannion clan.
Simon Roberts joined Hinkley C in 2011 as a driver and site tour guide, and still works there part-time.
Four years later, his daughter Nichola Wood joined the project as a site team lead facilitator for nuclear power station designer Framatome.
Then, Nichola’s daughter Grace followed in their footsteps working on site for caterer Somerset Larder in 2021, before joining contractor Bylor as a platform administrator early this year.
In total, Simon counts 18 members of his extended family working on the project over the years.
The Mannion family links to Hinkley Point stretch back to 1999, when Terry made the move to the Hinkley B station from the Heysham nuclear site in Lancashire.
The family settled locally as Terry began what turned out to be a 25-year stint as an efficiency engineer at Hinkley.
In 2022, Terry’s daughter Lucy started a role as an internal communications consultant for Hinkley C, fulfilling a career dream sparked by her father’s stories.
Simon Roberts said: “I was made redundant after decades with the same company, but I knew that Hinkley C was the biggest construction project in Europe and local to where I live, so I applied and was fortunate enough to get a job.”
Nichola said: “I grew up in the villages around Hinkley, so I have experienced A, B, and now C develop over the years.
“It was always deemed to be ‘the place to work’ and everybody strived to get a job here.
“I knew it could offer many opportunities for career growth.
“Hinkley C has provided many of us with a source of income and job security, something in common, and something to talk about when we are all together.
“Also, we previously owned a business close to site and it benefitted greatly from having extra people living in the area.”
Lucy Mannion said: “Dad had a big influence on my career.
“He would often come home and talk about how good it was to work for EDF and how much of a family it was, which was a motivating factor to work here.
“I studied English Literature at university, but I always knew I wanted to go into communications and work at EDF, so I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work at Hinkley C.
“In terms of my career, it is the best thing that could have happened to me.
“I have learned so much over the past two years and I have met some amazing people.
“It also makes me proud knowing that I am playing a part on a project that will impact the local area.”