Recruits in training for a powerful new career

25 June 2010

Five hundred candidates applied for twelve trainee positions with EDF Energy Networks. They will spend the next two years preparing to join the skilled team of field staff who keep a quarter of the UK’s electricity networks running for homes and businesses.

One of the new recruits is Francesca Higgs, 19, of Crawford Gardens. Due to the economic downturn she decided to learn a trade, rather than go to university. After beating off tough competition she will be training to be an electrical jointer on an EDF Energy Networks training programme.

Francesca, who will be based in Crawley when the course is finished, took A-levels in maths, chemistry, biology and music technology then studied electrical installations at Central Sussex College in Crawley.

She said: “I feel really lucky. It was the first job I applied for and I really like it. Everyone is friendly and it feels like a big family. I find the job challenging and I’d like to work outdoors, in a different place each day. I am the only woman on the course but I haven’t let that stand in my way and I hope to encourage others to follow in my footsteps. My job will involve joining electricity cables together and fixing faults to ensure reliable electricity supplies. Working on electricity cables is dangerous, but once we are competent and fully trained we will know how to carry out the work safely. After our apprenticeship there is an opportunity to take an engineering degree and I might go on to do that and eventually management.”

EDF Energy Networks managing director Laurent Ferrari said: “We are committed to maintaining a reliable supply of electricity for our customers by ensuring the people who manage our networks meet the very highest standards.

“The quality of the service we provide for our customers in the future depends on us having the right people with the right skills. Our apprenticeship scheme is enormously popular and is helping us attract and train new employees to what is an exciting industry to work in. This apprenticeship scheme is important for us because a number of people will retire in the coming years – we want to prepare for the future!”

Once their apprenticeships are complete, the new recruits will become part of the full workforce keeping electricity flowing to 7.8million customers.

The apprenticeship scheme restarted in 1996 to address a shortage in the number of electrical craftsmen joining the industry. Since then dozens of apprentices have been through a structured programme of training and many of them are now fully-fledged members of the workforce, keeping the power network in good working order.

The apprenticeship scheme includes a mixture of formal training, together with on-the-job experience in the field, to put their skills into practice. The formal training will be carried out at EDF Energy Networks’ training centre at Sundridge, Kent.

The new recruits embarked on the programme last month. At the end of their programme the apprentices will qualify with a Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering.

EDF Energy Networks is the largest power distribution business in the UK. The company delivers electricity to homes and businesses in an area extending from the River Arun on the Sussex coast to The Wash in the East. The company’s networks are so large they could stretch several times around the circumference of the planet.

Ends

For further information, contact Niamh Arnett in the EDF Energy press office on 01473 266484.

Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.

EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity.  EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.

Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.

EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.