Bilfinger has reinforced its commitment to developing the next generation of inspection professionals through its Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Apprenticeship Programme at Hinkley Point C, with the latest intake of 12 new apprentices appointed to the project.
The award winning programme was introduced in 2023 and plays a key role in supporting quality, safety, and inspection capability on one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects, while creating long‑term career pathways in a critical engineering discipline.
In addition to welcoming the new cohort, Bilfinger has also celebrated strong success from all eight of its Year 3 NDT apprentices at Hinkley Point C, who successfully completed their End Point Assessments with Distinction from the British Institute of Non‑Destructive Testing (BINDT) - demonstrating the quality of training, mentoring and on‑site experience provided through the programme.
Year 3 apprentices who all achieved a distinction on their apprenticeship end point assessment.
The NDT Apprenticeship Programme combines practical, site‑based learning with formal qualification routes, ensuring apprentices develop the technical competence, safety‑critical mindset and quality-centric approach required 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.
“Overall, I am genuinely pleased with how far I have progressed, and I am excited to continue building my career with Bilfinger.”
Year 3 apprentices who all achieved a distinction on their apprenticeship end point assessment.
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.”
Charlie Cullimore carrying out radiography in the East pool Bunker on site
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 appointment of 12 new apprentices further strengthens Bilfinger’s inspection capability on the project and ensures effective knowledge transfer is embedded across the generation of engineers.
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is one of the UK’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects and the first new nuclear power station to be built in the country in a generation. Located in Somerset, the site will play a critical role in the UK’s long‑term energy security by providing reliable, low‑carbon electricity to millions of homes.
Bilfinger is a long‑standing Tier 1 supplier on the project, delivering a wide range of inspection and industrial services, including non‑destructive testing (NDT), to support the integrity, safety, and quality of safety‑critical systems throughout construction. Bilfinger’s ongoing involvement at Hinkley Point C reflects its expertise in the nuclear sector and its commitment to supporting major national infrastructure projects while providing a legacy of skilled talent to support future projects. These apprenticeships also contribute to the wider Hinkley Point C programme, which has trained more than 1,700 apprentices in a diverse range of disciplines since construction began — underlining the project’s significant role in building the UK’s future workforce.