MP for Slough, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, visited Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), a major employer in his constituency and celebrated the company’s ambitions to train the next generation of net zero heroes.
Mr Dhesi visited the Slough depot to meet Chris Lowrie, a third-year apprentice, and Daniel Coe who is a Trainee Engineer. SSEN is making a major investment in the next generation of engineers who will keep the power flowing to Slough’s homes and businesses, and ensure the network is ready for a net zero future.
While low carbon technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps are already appearing in Slough’s homes and streets, their numbers are due to increase dramatically in the coming years. Electric vehicle charge points are projected to grow nearly fourteen-fold by the end of this decade, while numbers of heat pumps will surge from less than 300 installed today to well over 5,000 by 2030. These clean, green technologies represent major additional electricity demand and that means a big job for SSEN’s engineers who must ensure the network is ready to deliver.
The Slough depot is a busy hub within SSEN’s southern network with well over 100 staff. The team is looking for new learners to join them and is currently advertising for HGV drivers, jointers, linespeople and cable layers.
There is a range of entry points into the business, for apprentices, trainee engineers, adult learners and graduates. SSEN recruitment of apprentices is based on individuals’ skills and abilities such as their resilience, learning agility and approach to safety rather than previous educational attainment. The training programme offers practical learning in the field, technical training and an academic module at college.
Mr Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough said:
“I was delighted to visit SSEN’s Slough depot today and hear about the jobs and training on offer for the people doing the essential job of keeping our power flowing. These are long-term jobs which will only become more vital as the UK shifts towards Net Zero. With 11 roles currently being advertised within Slough and many more across the wider Thames Valley region, I would encourage school leavers and those already in work to consider a career at SSEN.”
Dean Smith, Resources Manager for Thames Valley Region at SSEN said:
“We were delighted to meet Mr Dhesi and introduce him to some of our learners. The Slough depot is one of the most important hubs in our southern network and our colleagues sit at the heart of the local community. We invest in training to make sure everybody working on our network is ready to take on the essential jobs of keeping power flowing safely to Slough’s businesses and homes.
“We are in the middle of our largest ever recruitment drive for apprentices and Trainee Engineers and will have 312 people in the learning programmes by September, all of whom will earn as they learn. Last year, over 90% of those on the apprenticeship scheme completed it on time, despite all the complications caused by covid along the way. This year we hope to improve on that.”
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