Regional power operator welcomes latest cohort of apprentices

Power network operator, Stockport-based Electricity North West, has welcomed the latest cohort of apprentices to start their careers with the business.

37 apprentices have started a three-year training programme across Electricity North West’s 44,000 km network in the region from Greater Manchester to Carlisle, and will train to be part of the team that manages the safe delivery of electricity through the region’s underground cables and overhead power lines.

Apprentices will undergo an initial two-week training programme at Electricity North West’s Training Academy in Blackburn, before being deployed to the company’s depots across the region to gain daily on-site experience.

The latest cohort of new starters in a record intake for the business, which has trained over 230 apprentices since 2007. The firm has also revealed it will re-open recruitment for a further 35 apprenticeships later this year.

Rachael Parr, Electricity North West’s people and corporate services director, said:

“It’s always an exciting time to see a new cohort of apprentices join the business and embark on their journey.

“Earlier this year, we began a huge £2bn investment for the North West’s power network as demand for electricity continues to increase as people move away from fossil fuels for things like transport and heating to clean electricity. Our apprentices will have a major role to play over the next five years to complete the huge programme of work and beyond.

“We’re committed to investing in our workforce by upskilling and investing and over the next five-years, we’ll be creating 600 green jobs whilst also looking to enhance the diversity of our current workforce.”

Chris Havard, Electricity North West’s apprenticeship programme manager, added:

“Our apprenticeship programme is going from strength-to-strength each year and continues to generate huge interest.

“It’s an exciting programme to be a part of and in the last six years, all apprentices that have qualified have been offered a full-time role and accepted.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome our latest intake and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow and develop in their roles over the next three years.”