Construction has begun on the southern hub of the Government’s flagship National College for Nuclear in Cannington, Somerset.

The college will train more than 7,000 students by 2020. The project is funded by £15 million from the Department for Business, with additional investment coming from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and from Bridgwater and Taunton College.

The college will welcome students from late 2017. EDF Energy and Sellafield Ltd will provide industry input into the curriculum.

Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy, said: “The industry needs high-quality skills, so that we can continue to operate the existing nuclear fleet safely for longer, as well as take forward plans for the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation.

“The National College for Nuclear will help to ensure that the UK has the right skills to participate fully in the global nuclear market.”

Steve Hindley, chairman of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “The National College for Nuclear is a real coup for the South West and firmly establishes this area as a national hub for the nuclear industry of the future.”