More than 700 apprenticeships will be offered by the UK’s energy network operators this year, data from Energy Networks Association (ENA) has revealed.
The data was released to mark the start of Apprenticeship Week (5-9 February) and illustrates how firms see apprenticeships are a great opportunity for young people starting their career or those aiming to retrain who want to get their foot in the door of the energy sector.
Whether out in the community or working in administrative centres, energy networks plan to recruit apprentice analysts and engineers, as well as those aspiring to join corporate positions.
Around 150 of the 700 apprenticeships in 2024 are at level 4 or higher, meaning the qualification is, at minimum, the equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree.
The apprenticeships are designed to offer a broad range of access points into the energy sector for anyone from school leavers and recent graduates to adults looking to retrain.
Many of the apprenticeships that energy network operators offer have won awards, such as the NIE Networks Apprentice Academy, which won the best Apprenticeship Programme in the Department for Education Apprenticeship Awards 2023 under the Large Employer category. This programme is also the only IET accredited programme in Northern Ireland.
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of ENA said: “To support the energy transition, we need a fresh surge of ambitious, talented and passionate people to come on board.
“It’s great to see so many apprentices being recruited this year, as we know many successful careers have been built on these foundations.”
Image from Shutterstock
