Photo: Stuart Nicol Photography
SSE is welcoming 169 new recruits joining the company across the UK this week with 73 trainees recruited in Scotland.
SSE has spent £11.68m this year on its recruits, and since 2007, more than 800 apprentices have been hired by SSE – a total training investment of £64m, or £80,000 per recruit.
John Stewart, Director of Human Resources, SSE, said: “It’s a very special day in our calendar to officially welcome the new apprentices and engineers to SSE.
“We’re backing the talent of tomorrow to the tune of £11.68m this year, investing an average of £80,000 per apprentice. This investment is vital – 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.”
The energy sector is working hard to attract more women into the industry and this year sees SSE recruit 10 female apprentices and engineers.
Stewart continued: “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.
“This is a step in the right direction but we want to do more. I would encourage other women to consider a career in energy when we reopen our apprenticeship application programme for next year.”
SSE offers apprenticeship programs 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.
The program 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.
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, therefore 208,000 new people are required within this period.
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