Why it matters: The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) says the 15% increase shows that the Government's £14.2bn investment in Sizewell C is delivering economic benefits for Suffolk and the wider region, with over 1,500 people currently working on the project site.
The big picture: The East of England now has 2,757 people employed in nuclear, up from 2,376 last year, according to the NIA's latest Jobs Map report. This reflects a broader national trend, with a record 98,000 people now working in the UK civil nuclear sector – up 11,000 in the past year and 55% over the past decade.
The details: The industry body says the increase has been driven by the Government's £14.2bn funding for Sizewell C announced this summer and the confirmation of a Final Investment Decision on the project with private investors. The trade association says the investment is providing highly skilled jobs, apprenticeships, and supply chain opportunities across Suffolk and the East of England.
What they're saying: Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the NIA, said: "The East of England's booming nuclear workforce is proof that Sizewell C is already delivering. Over 1,000 people are working on the project, with many more to come – creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships that will sustain the local economy for decades. Sizewell isn't just vital for clean energy, it's a cornerstone of regional growth."
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: "Nuclear power is central to Britain's energy security – and the East of England is right at the heart of it. Nearly 3,000 people already work in the sector here, with opportunities growing in Ipswich and Suffolk. Projects like Sizewell C are once-in-a-generation investments, delivering clean, secure power for millions of homes while creating thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs."
He added: "These roles drive skills, innovation, and prosperity, with local colleges, supply chains, and businesses already benefiting. The new Jobs Map shows the scale and diversity of opportunities ahead. I am determined that Ipswich and Suffolk will be the hub for nuclear, renewables, and advanced engineering – a cornerstone of Britain's clean energy revolution."
Local impact: Jack Steggalls, 19, from Ipswich, is working as a Civil Engineering Apprentice at Sizewell C – the first in his family to work in nuclear.
Jack said: "An apprenticeship in the nuclear sector is a great way to get a qualification while learning in a role that has amazing long-term potential. I grew up in Ipswich, so having Sizewell C on my doorstep here in Suffolk is a huge opportunity to develop my role as civil engineer. And being part of a project that's so important to Britain is inspiring and rewarding."
For context: The figures come from the NIA's annual Jobs Map report. The trade association represents over 300 companies across the UK's nuclear supply chain. Sizewell C is expected to support 70,000 jobs across the UK throughout its construction and operation phases.
The bottom line: Industry figures show nuclear employment in the East of England has reached 2,757 people, with the sector's trade association saying Sizewell C is driving continued growth across Suffolk.
