OREANDA-NEWS. October 4, 2012. SSE’s new innovative training programme, which offers 16-24 year olds in the Highlands the opportunity of a career within the energy industry, opened its doors for the first time this week to 28 young people from the Highlands.

The 12 month training programme, developed in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Inverness College UHI, will provide bespoke training to bring recruits into the SSE business, giving them an excellent head start into life in the energy industry. A diverse range of topics will be covered including construction, craft, electrical engineering and the energy industry in general. Throughout the programme, a high focus will be placed on safety, SSE’s number one core value.

SSE’s Head of Pipeline, Gary Hamilton, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the first intake of highland youngsters into our new training programme. The programme is unique and a first for us, covering an extremely diverse wide-range of topics, specifically developed with the view to bring recruits into the SSE family and to prepare them for a long and successful career in the energy industry.”

Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at HIE, said:

"Historically the Highlands and Islands has always been home to a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. This initiative is a great example of how by working together we can develop the diverse range of skills the energy industry needs to ensure Scotland is ready to grasp existing and emerging opportunities."

John Brown Founder and Chief Executive of lifeSKILLS said:

“This is a great opportunity for many of our customers, as it gives them the chance to start their career in one of the key growth sectors within our economy. As one of the strategic partners involved in the recruitment and ongoing support of the young people on the programme, lifeSKILLS has once again matched our customers to the kind of life changing opportunity that many of them can normally only dream of.”

SSE plans to invest around ?1.5bn annually over the next few years with much of the investment planned in the Highlands and Islands, with significant plans already in place for its renewable division, SSE Renewables, and its transmission business, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL). SSE expects to make significant investments in training and employment across the Highlands and Islands as energy development takes place.