EDF Energy says 50,000 students in Somerset have benefited directly from the financial windfall from Hinkley Point C.

EDF has pumped more than £10 million into training and education throughout the county to prepare potential future workers.

The 50,000th student will be one of 26 year nine girls from schools in Bridgwater and Taunton attending a ‘’ event at the Construction Skills and Innovation Centre in Cannington today (Thursday).

The milestone will be reached as part of EDF’s Inspire education programme, which is designed to get Somerset students interested in science, technology, engineering and maths – and help create the workforce Hinkley C will need in the future.

Over 300 activities have taken place during the past three years as part of the Inspire programme, including Cheltenham Science Festival presenters giving interactive lectures to students, residential courses at Bath University, visits to the Hinkley Point B, climate change lessons and careers fairs.

Nigel Cann, construction director for Hinkley Point C, said: “The ‘Inspire’ education programme is very important to us at EDF Energy.

“As well as marking an important milestone in preparing the young people of Somerset for the employment and training opportunities at Hinkley Point C, the event at Cannington also highlights the changing face of construction and engineering, with females encouraged to play a greater role in the future.

“That’s great news for the industry, as well as for aspiring female students, as it allows us to realise the true potential of all students.”