Three Essex career changers have joined UK Power Networks, to build new careers on the power network.
A barber, zoo worker and a brewer are among the 28 recruits switching on to two-year experienced craft apprenticeships with Britain’s biggest electricity distribution network. Over the next two years they will retrain as overhead linespeople working at height, substation fitters and underground cable jointers, becoming experts at keeping power supplies safely and reliably flowing for 8.5 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England.
Foundation apprentices complete the programme in three years, while those with experience from other sectors cover exactly the same course, intensively in just two years. College courses and practical skills gained at the company’s bespoke training centres in Kent and Suffolk, are practised under close supervision on-the-job.
Giving his former job as a barber the chop, Ashley Poole, 34, from Canvey Island, is hoping to become a cut above the rest, as an overhead linesperson in Purfleet. He previously worked in drainage, tiling, train building, barbering and as a doorman.
Ashley regretted leaving a course in electrical installations in his teens but says: “I’m here now with a lot more life experience. This is why I’m so grateful to get this position and I’ve been so excited to get started since I was offered the job.
“I will be inspecting, maintaining and repairing overhead cables to maintain reliable electricity supplies for my local community,” said Ashley, “I’m ambitious, always looking to better myself. This role offers qualifications and all I’ve got to do is be good at my job.
“I’ve always had a fascination with technology and electronics. I was the kid who would take the PlayStation apart, just to fix it again. I was good at science at school and enjoyed circuit boards. It piqued my interest from the beginning.”
James Garrod, 30, from Clacton-on-Sea, is a former volunteer coastguard and works as a lifeguard in his local town in the summer. He comes to UK Power Networks’ shores to join the team as an overhead linesperson at the company’s Colchester office. James recently worked for a family business, building TV news coverage trucks for live broadcasts.
He said: “I work as a lifeguard because I enjoy helping people. To be able to do that in this job is something I am very pleased about, where I can support and restore power to elderly and vulnerable people like my grandparents.”
He continued: “UK Power Networks is very welcoming and friendly, and the course is well organised. They have informed us well about everything, putting us at ease straight away. Everyone is equal and everyone is respectful, which is something I value in a company.”
Former cable puller in underground electricity tunnels and Extra High Voltage fitters mate, Ayden Hattley, 23, from Braintree, Essex, is now training as a cable jointer with UK Power Networks at Canning Town.
“There is a massive sense of pride in my role because we will be supporting our local communities by helping to keep the power flowing,” said Ayden, “When I go home, I turn on the kettle, charge my phone, turn on lights and I’m interested in how it all works.
“We are helping the country to take the next step towards a new era, a green revolution. The industry is getting smarter and finding intelligent ways to reduce emissions in the environment. It’s an exciting new challenge to be part of.”
Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers and this year we’ve welcomed a total of 54 experienced apprentices. This group have reached a junction in their life where they want to try something new.”
Changing career can be unnerving but for many it’s a chance to follow their dream. In a survey of career changers, carried out by Joblist, 77 per cent felt happier and 75 per cent felt more fulfilled after taking the plunge. Charlie added: “Our experienced apprentices view this chance to retrain while earning, as a ‘golden ticket’ which is an exciting gateway to the rest of their career.
“We don’t always know at 16 what we want to do when we’re 30 and we are seeing an enthusiastic pipeline of talent with itchy career feet who have transferrable skills, life experience and are waiting for that opportunity to gain new skills and experience in their chosen career.”
This autumn’s apprentices are the firm’s second cohort of 2023, which totals 54 apprenticeships and a similar number will be recruited next year. There were 907 applications for the latest 28 posts, showing strong demand for the experienced apprenticeship. Foundation apprenticeships continue to be an important part of the company’s strategy, coupled with experienced apprentices who are fast-tracked through the same programme in two years instead of three.
