A FORMER canteen worker and mother of twins from Bridgwater who works on Hinkley Point C's nuclear site has won a national award just one year after a career switch. 

Monika Czyz-Grzesik, who works for Cavendish Nuclear as a trade labourer for the MEH Alliance on the Hinkley Point C project, was named the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) New Entrant of the Year at the twelfth annual ECI Training and Development Awards in London.

Career switcher Monika came out on top after being shortlisted in the final three for the award, which celebrates learners who are working towards or have successfully completed an ECITB new entrant programme within the previous 12 months.

The submission for the award highlighted how Monika demonstrated resilience and tenacity after moving to the UK from Poland.

The 38-year-old, who is mother to 10-year-old twins, studied in evenings via flexible delivery to complete the Hinkley Support Operative Bronze Programme – a collaborative training programme between the ECITB and EDF to prepare new entrants to the industry to work on the nuclear power station site in Somerset.

Speaking about the award, Monika commented: “Winning the award is really motivating. I can see all that hard work was worthwhile.”

She added: “I was working in a school canteen to fit around school hours to help take care of my children, but when they reached the age of nine a year ago, I decided to move back to a career path and try something new. That’s why I decided to give it a go with Hinkley Point C. I can say it was the best decision of my life, it’s been great.”

At first, Monika says she didn’t believe in her capabilities and was hesitant to change careers. But with the help of HSO programme and from EDF, she has been assisted along the way.

Monika added: “It’s been great as a woman working in the nuclear industry and I want to encourage other females to give it a go. I want to speak to other females to encourage them to go back to work and Hinkley Point is a good place to start.”

Judges recognised how she excelled during her time on the project and is now working towards the Gold Programme. They also noted her passion for championing the industry to other women and mothers.

Along with each category being sponsored, the drinks and entertainment were sponsored by Bechtel and Kingsfield Academy respectively, while the dinner was sponsored by Hinkley Point C.

Philippa Burt, HR Director at Hinkley Point C, said: “Hinkley Point C is a catalyst for long-term growth in the engineering construction industry and will leave a legacy of a more skilled and productive workforce that gives the region, and the wider UK, a competitive edge as it delivers the UK’s ambitions for energy security and net zero.