SSE is using the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week to encourage as many motivated and enthusiastic individuals from all over Great Britain to apply for its Apprentice Programme before the deadline passes on Thursday this week.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week, 29 February to 4 March 2016, celebrates the opportunities and benefits that Modern Apprenticeships bring to businesses, young people, and the economy.
John Stewart, SSE Director of Human Resources, said investing in apprentices and trainees is vital for the future of the energy industry. He said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way into a highly skilled and varied career with SSE with 95% of our recruits staying with us after they’ve served their time.”
And the energy sector is working hard to attract more women into the industry.
John added: “We need a diverse workforce for the future and we want to encourage more women into the energy industry – particularly to our apprenticeship and training programmes.
“I would encourage women to consider a career in energy and apply before the deadline passes.”
Since 2007, more than 800 apprentices have been hired by SSE – a total training investment of £64m or £80,000 per recruit. This year alone SSE will recruit an intake of 183 Apprentices and Trainee Engineers across the UK.
Charlene Cotter, who is leading SSE’s recruitment drive is encouraging as many people to apply as possible.
She said: “We believe our people are our most important asset. We also believe in developing our employees to get the best from them, building up talent from within. Our trainee roles are a fantastic route into a highly skilled and varied career with us where successful recruits benefit from some of the best training and development in the industry.
“I would urge anyone who is interested in an exciting career in the energy industry to apply via our careers website www.sse.com/careers.
SSE offers apprenticeship programmes lasting three to four years in nine different areas. SSE trainees help maintain the 205,000 km of SSE’s power lines across its distribution and transmission networks and its power stations, wind farms and hydro projects as well as carrying out commercial or domestic electrical work.
It puts trainees through foundation degrees as well as giving them work experience across the business. Graduates then join a two year rotational programme to develop their skills and experience and become professional engineers.