Midas Construction has started work to build a £6.2 million hub for the National College for Nuclear (NCfN) in Somerset.

The Southern NCfN Hub is being developed at Bridgwater & Taunton College's Cannington Centre and is due to welcome its first students in 2017.

A northern hub is also being developed in Workington, Cumbria. Both facilities will be funded by £15m from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with additional funding for the southern hub being provided from the Heart of the South West LEP and Bridgwater & Taunton College.

-- Advertisement --

Once complete, the southern hub will feature a pair of new buildings connected with an enclosed link bridge. One buildings will house a two-storey training centre, while the second will contain a two-storey welfare and recreation facility.

Alan Hope, Chief Executive of The Midas Group said: "The need to develop a skilled workforce and supply chain to support the development of Hinkley has been rightly recognised as of huge importance to the long term success of the project itself and the wider regional economy.

"So, we are delighted and very proud to be delivering this flagship scheme which will bring through a new generation of highly skilled people, trained here in Somerset, and working at one of the biggest projects the UK has embarked on for many years."

The NCfN is dedicated to supporting the specialist training needs of the nuclear industry, with the southern hub supporting the training requirements of the nuclear power station at nearby Hinkley Point.

By 2020, the College is aiming to have trained more than 7,000 people.

(LM/MH)