OREANDA-NEWS. September 11, 2012. Around 45 new energy apprentices have joined SSE’s industry renowned apprentice scheme in Scotland this week, taking up their tools for the very first time at the power giant’s SSE induction programme held in Perth. The talented individuals were hired after a rigorous selection procedure and will now join the company’s prestigious apprentice training programme. In total 104 apprentices will join SSE UK wide.

The class of 2012 come from all corners of Scotland, from Orkney to Ayrshire, and their apprenticeships will take between three and four years. Combining both theoretical study and practical experience on site they will be under the supervision of one of SSE’s experienced managers, some who started as apprentices themselves.

SSE is the largest company in Scotland and one of the most diverse energy companies operating in the UK. Representing all disciplines of the energy industry, these apprentices will get a good grounding in all aspects of the company’s business allowing each individual to develop his or her own skills. They will be exposed to a broad spectrum of activities, including general electrical installation work, safety inspection and testing, street lighting, high voltage installation and gas distribution.

Since 2007 over 600 apprentices have successfully graduated through SSE’s programme and now play a vital role in all aspects of SSE’s day to day operations. Once the newly recruited apprentices have finished their training, there is no restriction to how far they can progress within SSE. The company prefers to promote from within its existing workforce wherever possible and newly qualified energy experts can take full advantage of the company’s staff development scheme, receiving guidance as to the most appropriate route to take in order to achieve their particular goals.

This years intake will be based across a number of the company’s sites in Scotland including:

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution’s Aberdeen, Dingwall, Dundee, Elgin, Inverness, Perth, Peterhead and Wick depots;

Scottish Hydro Home Services’ Aberdeen, Dundee Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow offices;

SSE Contracting in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth.

SSE Renewables at windfarms including Griffin, Clyde and Gordonbush as well as Foyers and Sloy hydro electric power stations.

Head of SSE’s Apprentice Programme Gary Hamilton said:

"We are very proud of our apprenticeship programme and we know our people are our greatest asset. Many of our senior staff began their careers as apprentices and have enjoyed development opportunities from the moment they joined the company. This is the start of an exciting career for our apprentices with a profession, training and the opportunity to progress their career within a major UK company.”

Skills Development Scotland Chief Executive Damien Yeates said:

"We are delighted that a leading employer like SSE has embraced the value and benefits of the modern apprenticeship programme. SSE’s programme is a model example of a business building and expanding a skilled workforce in the energy sector. Scotland’s young people make a valuable contribution to businesses and to the wider economy. We hope this will encourage more employers to offer our young people that opportunity.”

The programme will also begin this week in the south of England.