MP Ian Liddell-Grainger says the choice of Bridgwater as one of the sites for a new National College for Nuclear is a huge vote of confidence in the town’s future.
The college is one of five new national colleges which are designed to deliver high-level technical training to thousands of learners across England.
Ministers have approved £15 million funding for the project, which will have a twin hub in Cumbria and operate under the wing of Bridgwater College.
It’s scheduled to accept its first intake late next year and is intended to help meet the demand for highly skilled workers in the nuclear sector, offering courses designed by employers for a range of highly specialised careers.
Mr Liddell-Grainger, Conservative member for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said the college would enhance the town’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for high-quality technical education.
“Not that many years ago the opportunities for young people in the Bridgwater area were limited to jobs in industry or retailing with extremely limited prospects,” he said.
“But Bridgwater has undergone a radical change since then. Bridgwater College already has a national reputation for turning out highly-skilled, highly-motivated students.
“The arrival of the College for Nuclear is going to open the door to some huge and exciting job opportunities both in this country and abroad.
“It really confirms Bridgwater as a town where young people from this part of Somerset can be trained and sent out into the world with all the qualifications necessary to succeed in modern industries.”