SSEN Distribution has had the pleasure of hosting the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, at our Perth Training Centre. Mr Murray met the first of an of almost 100-strong group of apprentices, graduates, trainee engineers, and digital learners as they began their professional journey with the company.
ABOVE: Scottish Secretary Ian Murray MP meeting a group of new joiners on their first day of their careers at SSEN Distribution.
The Perth Training Centre is one of SSEN Distribution’s major hubs. It’s also one of the places where we train the next generation of skilled colleagues who will play a pivotal role in delivering a net zero electricity distribution system. The Perth Training Centre is also the Scottish home of SSE Group’s recently launched Immersive Safety Training Programme - it’s the only such centre in Scotland.
ABOVE: The Secretary of State was shown how we conduct 'switching' on the network during his visit to the Perth Training Centre
SSEN Distribution is committed to building a larger, more diverse workforce over the next few years to deliver a net zero electricity system for our customers and communities. We've set a target of a net gain of 850 frontline team members by 2028.
- SSEN Distribution’s early careers programmes are designed to allow people to work towards a qualification whilst earning, setting them on a path to a rewarding career in the electricity industry.
- The number of job offers we're making has increased by almost one third in just two years.
- Three times as many front-line apprentices began their training with us last year compared with 2020.
Over the next three years, the £2.5m Faskally Safety Leadership Centre will welcome 7,000 people through its doors annually, for a unique safety training programme which uses state-of-the-art technology to blend film and live action to create a powerful, immersive experience. The training is based on psychological and neuroscientific learning principles, which ensures that learning is remembered better, for longer, and positively influences behaviour in the real world. The Centre is also now one of the largest employers of actors in Scotland.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP says,
“It was a pleasure to meet SSEN’s latest cohort of apprentices. There’s a bright future ahead for them, thanks in part to the ground-breaking immersive training programme in Perth that will support them as they learn the skills to help them excel in the energy sector.
“Our commitment to reach Net Zero is one we take seriously, and working in tandem with energy companies is a vital part of this. Their innovation and expansion are vital, but so too is their contribution to the wider economy, creating jobs and opportunity in communities all over Scotland.”
SSEN Distribution’s Managing Director Chris Burchell says,
“We’re delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Scotland to our Perth home this morning, and for him to meet the next generation of talent who will play a key role in keeping us all connected as we move to net zero together.
“Our workforce plan is an ambitious, thorough and inclusive response to the challenge of ensuring we have enough skilled people to deliver on our net zero targets, and we appreciated the opportunity to share with the Secretary of State more about how and why we’re doing just that.
“SSEN Distribution has a key role in supporting the delivery of the UK Government’s ambition for Clean Power by 2030 and we are absolutely committed to being a key part of delivering this.”