Skills for Energy Releases Guide for Industry Apprentices

More young people are finding their way into work as apprentices and their path will be made easier by a new guide to be launched by Skills for Energy, part of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).

It will help point the way for young men and women looking for careers in the booming energy industry, whether in the oil & gas, renewables or nuclear sectors.

And its launch coincides with National Apprentice Week (March 3-7) which reports a rapidly growing demand for apprenticeships and wants more businesses to open the door of opportunity.

“We regularly advise young people to seek out apprenticeships but we can’t just wave goodbye and leave them to it,” said Celia Anderson, EEEGR executive director, who heads Skills for Energy.

“Our guide will help them decide the right apprenticeship for a career in the energy industry and give much more specific advice on what apprenticeships and courses are available locally, where to find them, and the appropriate employers, trainers or colleges to approach.”

The guide will initially be directed at schools and careers advisers across Norfolk and Suffolk and will be available through the Skills for Energy website.

It follows the success of the group’s groundbreaking Energy Skills Foundation Programme (ESFP) which offers a one-year ‘pre-apprenticeship’ level 2 certificate programme, designed and supported by industry. Currently, it’s in its fifth year at Lowestoft College and second year at Great Yarmouth College, with a cohort of 31 students.

The new guide was welcomed by Keith Tucker, operations manager of Perenco UK, a company with its operations base in Great Yarmouth and a proud record of apprenticeships.

“They open the gateway to huge opportunities and give apprentices a chance to scale to the top levels within the industry,” he said. “We need to ensure that it is easy to find the route in and I am delighted to support the guide as the first step to providing clarity and direction.”

Scott McMillan, managing director of CLS Offshore, currently with 17 apprentices at its Great Yarmouth headquarters, said: “Apprenticeships are important to bolster the future of the energy industry. Skills for Energy supports the ESFP from which we have recruited apprentices – and support from them has been second to none. We at CLS hope both initiatives continue their good work.”

Matthew Hancock, Skills and Enterprise Minister, confirmed earlier this year that apprenticeships were increasingly popular, particularly with young women.

To all youngsters, they were a unique opportunity to earn while they learn and gain a recognised qualification while notching up vital work experience.

“New independent research reveals that one in five employers currently have former apprentices working in senior, board level, positions,” said the Minister.

The Skills for Energy Guide to Apprenticeships – funded by the Education and Training Foundation and supported by Myscience – will be officially launched at the training and skills session which kicks off EEEGR’s SNS2014 Conference on March 5th.

Press release, February 26, 2014; Image: TMS Media