Bilfinger has reinforced its commitment to developing inspection talent at Hinkley Point C (HPC), appointing 12 new apprentices to its Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Apprenticeship Programme at the site.

Introduced in 2023, the programme supports quality, safety and inspection capability on one of the UK's most complex infrastructure projects, while creating long-term career routes in a critical engineering field.

Bilfinger has also marked a milestone as all eight of its Year 3 NDT apprentices at HPC passed their End Point Assessments with Distinction from the British Institute of Non‑Destructive Testing (BINDT), underlining the strength of the training, mentoring and on-site experience on offer.

Blending hands-on, site-based learning with formal qualifications, the NDT Apprenticeship Programme equips apprentices with the technical competence, safety‑critical mindset and quality-first approach demanded by the nuclear sector.

Charlie Cullimore, a current Year 3 NDT Apprentice at HPC, said: "Reflecting on the past three years, my apprenticeship has been an incredibly rewarding journey. While it certainly came with its challenges, particularly learning more complex techniques and balancing practical work alongside coursework, these experiences pushed me to develop, stay focused, and improve.

"There were also many highlights, such as gaining hands-on experience with a variety of inspection methods, leading jobs which helped build my confidence in a leadership role, and working alongside an excellent team at HPC. I am extremely proud to have achieved a distinction overall in my Level 3 NVQ Apprenticeship, which made all the hard work worthwhile.

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"Overall, I am genuinely pleased with how far I have progressed, and I am excited to continue building my career with Bilfinger."

Dr David Hall, Vice President of Inspection at Bilfinger UK, said: "Developing highly skilled and motivated inspection professionals is essential for the future of our industry. The NDT Apprenticeship Programme at Hinkley Point C demonstrates Bilfinger's commitment to investing in people, not just projects. By combining hands‑on experience on a world‑class project with structured training and recognised qualifications, we're building capability and capacity that will support the UK energy sector for decades to come.

"Hinkley Point C provides an exceptional environment for apprentices to learn and grow in confidence, offering exposure to advanced construction processes, uncompromising quality requirements, and a strong safety culture — all underpinned by experienced inspection and engineering teams."

Bill Gray, Project Manager, Hinkley Point C, said: "The success of our apprentices reflects the quality of support and mentoring they receive on site. Achieving BINDT End Point Assessment success is a significant milestone, and it shows that apprentices at Hinkley Point C are developing the competence, confidence, and professionalism needed to support this project safely and effectively."

The latest intake enhances Bilfinger's inspection capability on the project and helps embed knowledge transfer across generations of engineers.

Hinkley Point C is one of the UK's largest and most complex infrastructure developments and the first new nuclear power station to be built in the country in a generation. Located in Somerset, it will contribute to long‑term energy security by supplying reliable, low‑carbon electricity to millions of homes.

A long-standing Tier 1 supplier at HPC, Bilfinger provides a range of inspection and industrial services — including NDT — to uphold the integrity, safety and quality of safety‑critical systems during construction. The company's continued role reflects its nuclear expertise and its focus on building a pipeline of skilled talent. More broadly, the Hinkley Point C programme has trained more than 1,700 apprentices in diverse disciplines since construction began, highlighting its impact on the UK's future workforce.