Scottish Government Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn today welcomed SSE’s engineers of the future as they kick start their apprenticeships.
In the coming weeks 105 new recruits will be joining SSE across Great Britain and the Minister watched as some of them were put through the rigorous training exercises they must complete before taking up roles in the field to help keep the country’s lights on.
Since 2007, more than 1,000 apprentices and Technical Skills Trainees (TSTs) have been recruited by SSE – a total training investment of around £80m.
Mr Hepburn visited SSE’s state-of-the-art training centre in Perth to hear how they were feeling about starting a career in the energy sector.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Employability and Training said: “Modern Apprentices make a real contribution to the Scottish economy, offering our young people improved career prospects while having a positive impact on the businesses and industry, bringing value to both employers and the economy. As such, I am delighted to be here today at SSE’s training centre in Perth to welcome and meet some of SSE’s latest recruits as they embark on the start of their careers.”
John Stewart, SSE Director of Human Resources, said investing in apprentices and trainees is vital for the future of the energy industry.
He said: “It’s always a very special day for our company when we welcome our next generation of talent.
“We invest heavily in our apprentices and TSTs, spending an average of £80,000 per recruit, bringing them up to our high standards. This investment is vital because half of the energy sector’s workforce will leave or retire by 2023.
“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 we’re delighted to have this team joining our ranks today.”
Mr Hepburn met with apprentices Daniel Duguid, Ross Sim, Lewis Harper and Ryan Boal. Apprentice craftsperson Daniel Duguid, 18, of Aberdeen is just starting his career to become a linesman and jointer. The former Kemnay Academy pupil said: “I’m really excited to be starting my apprenticeship. I wanted to earn a wage while I was taught a trade and SSE seemed like a brilliant company to do that with. I can’t wait to get started in the training school then out into the field.”
SSE offers apprenticeship programmes lasting three to four years in nine different areas. Trainees help maintain the 205,000 km of SSE’s power lines across its distribution and transmission networks, work in 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.
Government and SSE research shows:
- During their working lives apprentices can earn more than £100,000 above the average employee earnings.
- On average 86% of apprentices stay in employment after completing their apprenticeship, with 67% staying with the same employer.
- SSE figures show that since 2012, 95% of its apprentices are still with the company.
- 28% of young people are taking subjects that apply to the energy industry which has an ageing workforce.
- It is estimated that 50% of this sector’s workforce will leave or retire by 2023, with 208,000 new recruits needed to fill the gap.
To find out more about SSE apprenticeships visit: sse.com/careers/apprentices/