30 January 20239 January 2024

Training the next generation

We believe our people are our most valuable asset, and we also believe that apprentices are important to society, business and the industry in which we work. Because of this we have extensive apprenticeship and training programmes covering many aspects of working in the utilities and metering industries.

Apprenticeships and training programmes are a fantastic way to launch a career and can have a lasting impact on a person’s professional life. Taking part in these programmes allows us to expand our workforce and create a pipeline of skilled employees for the future.

“The energy industry as a whole faces an impending and significant skills shortage in key areas over the next decade, including engineering.” Says Dave Taylor, CEO at Energy Assets. “So, we’ve made a positive decision to address some of these challenges in-house by providing apprenticeship and training programmes.

Our aim is to grow the skills we need not only for our company, but also to address a wider industry challenge, which is to help develop a pipeline of talent for the future health of the sector.”

We’ve been running our programmes for three years as part of our overall plan to support our industry and young people. We provide hands-on training giving apprentices and trainees a real chance to put their skills into practice helping them to gain more confidence in a working environment.

There’s a two-way benefit in an employee-apprentice/trainee relationship. By training the next generation of engineers, technicians and service professionals for the industry now, the next generation are taught by experienced sector experts who can pass on a wealth of wisdom and experiential learnings. But the business (and wider industry) also benefits from on-boarding young professionals that will have new and fresh ways of looking at things.

We’re delighted that, despite COVID-19 and other current macro-economic and political events impacting on many businesses and industries, we can continue to welcome and support new apprentices and trainees.

Our programmes vary in length, from 12 months up to four years. Thanks to our scheme we’ve placed new workers in various roles throughout our business including Data Administration, IT Support, Store Warehouse and Utility Networks.

“We reward our apprentices and trainees with a solid pay and benefits package that far exceeds the norm – including a 5-day Outward Bound Trust team skills-building experience.” Says Karen Robinson, Head of HR and Business Support. “We want to empower anyone who has the drive to succeed to thrive not only within Energy Assets, but also in their own professional careers and the industry.”

Energy and the environment are rightly at the forefront at the moment, so it’s vital that, as an industry, we encourage and train the people who will be important in the years ahead.

As an organisation we’re taking a more sustainable approach and considering and addressing skill gaps and ways to shape the workforce of the future.

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