Several youngsters have landed apprenticeships at a north-east power station.
SSE Thermal has recruited a record eight trainees to join its power generation facility in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.
Working across a variety of business areas, the group join two other apprentices who began work at the site at the beginning of the year.
All ten apprentices are due to start further education in September, with the majority based at North East Scotland College’s (NESCOL) Fraserburgh campus.
They will continue to blend formal education with practical work-based learning across a four-year modern apprenticeship programme.
All trainees will be fully supported by the station’s senior management team and each will have a designated mentor.
As Scotland’s only major thermal power station, Peterhead Power Station provides flexibility to the electricity system, allowing renewables to be integrated while maintaining security of supply.
As part of its commitment to a net zero future, SSE Thermal is progressing plans to decarbonise its power generation at the site, working with Equinor to develop one of the UK’s first power stations equipped with carbon capture technology.
This will ensure the site can continue to provide essential flexible power generation while supporting the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Lee Gray, SSE Thermal’s station manager at Peterhead, said: “SSE Thermal has ambitious plans to develop a new carbon capture-equipped power station at Peterhead, which will create hundreds of low-carbon jobs through construction and operation and this makes it a particularly exciting time for these new apprentices to be joining our business.
“We are committed to delivering a robust apprenticeship programme for each individual, giving them the opportunity to build their practical knowledge and experience. Upon completion of their programme, they will all be in a strong position to pursue careers within their desired industry, and hopefully some will be able to forge long-term careers here at Peterhead with SSE Thermal.”
The two apprentices who joined in January are with 18-year-old Chloe Corbett, an electrical apprentice, and Jude Junor, 17, a mechanical apprentice – they are both from Peterhead.
David Duguid, Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan, said: “Creating opportunities for future generations is vital to the continued success of the region and I welcome SSE Thermal’s recruitment of ten new apprentices in 2021. It was a pleasure to meet with Chloe and Jude during a recent visit to their Peterhead site and I wish them and the rest of their cohort all the best as they take the first steps with their apprenticeships in an exciting time to be involved in the energy industry.
“With COP26 set to take place this November, it is important that all sectors are doing what they can to support net zero efforts, with the planned Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station set to play a crucial role in the energy transition towards reduced carbon emissions.”
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