Dungeness B takes on six new apprentices

The latest group of six apprentices were appointed during the summer and kicked off their new careers with EDF Energy with a team building week in the Lake District.

There they joined with the company’s 53 other apprentices who are linked to EDF Energy’s other nuclear sites.

The Lakes’ week was the culmination of a gruelling recruitment process which started last autumn when over 300 applications came in for the positions. After tests and interviews the apprentices were finally chosen to join the Dungeness B teams.

Jim French, apprentice training co-ordinator, said: “The quality of applications was very high and so that means the quality of our apprentices will also be very high.”

Dungeness B held a recruitment day in December where over 70 applicants visited the station to find out more about the scheme. After the final six were chosen the apprentices and their families came back to Dungeness to find out more about the scheme. They were then taken to see HMS Sultan – the Portsmouth-based training facility where the apprentices will spend their first two years.

“Many of our apprentices come from the local schools and it’s important for us to ensure the parents are comfortable with the set up at HMS Sultan and so we take them to see the site first hand,” Jim said

Away from the classroom the apprentices will enjoy excellent sports and leisure facilities under the watchful eye of the centre’s own team. EDF Energy’s apprentices also undertake an extensive life skills package along with some cultural visits to European cities.

Jim added: “The life skills part of the scheme is very important to us and after that initial two years away we end up with some very mature individuals.”

After two years, the apprentices return to Dungeness B to complete their apprenticeship on site.

“As a kick start to the apprenticeship we take all of EDF Energy’s first year apprentices to the Lake District for a team-building week and this works well as this group will be spending the next two years together.”

Applications for the apprentice programme will open in October and will be through the EDF Energy careers website.

http://www.edfenergy.com/careers/