College hosts event for a Nuclear Future

We were proud to host a landmark event, marking a significant step in our region's journey towards a clean energy future. We welcomed over 150 representatives from local, regional, national, and international organisations, all eager to learn about the exciting opportunities presented by X-energy's proposed nuclear new build project in Hartlepool.

Organised by X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear, the event aimed to showcase how businesses from across Teesside and the UK can support the multi-billion pound project, which plans to build a fleet of advanced modular nuclear reactors (AMRs) in our area.

Our Vice Principal, Gary Riches, set the tone for the day with a warm welcome to all attendees. In his introduction, Gary highlighted our College's commitment to transforming lives and our HARTS ethos. He emphasised how these behaviours align perfectly with the innovative and forward-thinking nature of the X-energy project.Gary said “it’s exciting what possibilities lie ahead for the people of Hartlepool with this project on the horizon.  With the College located just over two miles away from the proposed site, it shows we’re best placed to provide every organisation involved in the full project with their workforce for the future and create a solid pipeline of sustained employment”

We were also incredibly proud to have two of our Engineering Apprentices deliver engaging presentations to the gathered guests and dignitaries. Maddie Williams, who completed her Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering with us in 2019, shared insights from her current role as a Safety, Health and Environmental Technician Apprentice at Intelect. Maddie's journey, which included achieving her HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Teesside University in 2021, served as an inspiring example of the pathways available to our students. Equally impressive was James Marsh, who also completed the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering with Maddie in 2019. another success story from our Engineering chohort, who is now making waves as an Apprentice Health and Safety Practitioner at ConocoPhillips. Both Maddie and James engaged the audience with their insights into their amazing Health and Safety work, showcasing the real-world impact of the education and training we provide here at College, and both will be completing their Apprenticeships in 2025. 

The event highlighted the critical role that regional and British engineering, manufacturing, and construction companies can play in building the next generation of clean power production in Hartlepool and across the UK. X-energy's plans for a fleet of around 40 Xe-100 AMRs across the UK could create thousands of high-quality, well-paying jobs in construction and operations. The proposed 12-reactor project at Hartlepool, situated next to the existing nuclear power station, represents a multi-billion-pound investment that could bring enormous benefits to the supply chain across our region.

At Hartlepool College, we're excited to be at the heart of these developments. Our role in hosting this event underlines our commitment to supporting the region's industrial growth and fostering the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Carol Tansley, X-energy's Vice President of Projects and UK Market Leader, emphasised the importance of local talent: "The North East's talented businesses have a proud history of supporting both nuclear power and the wider Teesside industrial base. Today's event is focused on how we can build the partnerships at local and national level to deliver new nuclear power online in Hartlepool in the early 2030s." 

Also Leon Flexman, X-energy's Corporate Affairs Director UK, said: "We’re very grateful to Hartlepool College for their invaluable partnership in staging this successful supply chain event. Their contribution helped showcase the fantastic local training and skills development on offer to the gathered business, making a strong case for Hartlepool and Teesside as a hub for this project. The venue itself and Gary and the team’s fantastic hosting really created a positive experience for all attendees."

We're proud to be playing our part in this exciting journey, continuing our tradition of providing the skills and knowledge that our community and industry partners need to thrive in an ever-changing world. As we look to the future, we remain committed to working closely with industry leaders to ensure our students are well-prepared for the exciting opportunities. This event was just one example of how we're helping to shape the future of our region, and we look forward to many more collaborations that will benefit our students, our community, and the wider UK economy.