International energy-industry business 3sun Group said yesterday it had taken on a record 20 apprentices as it trains the workforce of tomorrow.
The firm takes in 3sun, a supplier of instrumentation and control products and services, plus Dawson Energy, which delivers installation and maintenance services for wind turbines. It also recently launched a new division, 3sun Inspection Services, which offers equipment inspection and testing services for the oil and gas and renewables industries.
The group has its headquarters at Great Yarmouth and bases at Oban and Aberdeen, plus Bergen in Norway.
The apprentices will be deployed in all three divisions, primarily working in Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth.
Managing director Graham Hacon said: “3sun Group is a strong supporter of apprenticeships and we work hard to recruit young people leaving education and those leaving the construction industry or the Armed Forces with transferable skills.
“Last year, we took on our largest intake to date which was 10 apprentices and this year hitting the 20 mark is a real milestone for us. We are proud of the fact that we can offer employment in this way while also filling the industry skills gap and supporting the needs of the energy industry. Taking on apprentices is a big expense and responsibility, costing anything between £10,000-£20,000 per apprentice per year, however it is an investment we are willing to make to help progress the industry. There is no shortage of people looking to do apprenticeships so, as an employer, it is not a difficult process if you’re willing to shoulder the cost.
“We have been, and strive to continue to be, proactive in targeting government funding to help support apprenticeships. In the energy sector, we have a maturing workforce so we need to do what we can now to train the workforce of tomorrow. We need to focus on the bigger picture.”
