What are the roles?
We are looking for talented individuals to join our apprenticeship programmes. Joining one of our programmes will give you the opportunity to achieve qualifications at the same time as gaining practical, hands-on work experience.
We believe that the key to our success lies in a motivated and highly skilled work force which is why we offer Electrical Gas and Mechanical Modern Apprenticeships as well as Street Lighting Traineeships and Electrical, Mechanical and Control and Instrumentation Apprenticeships in our Power Systems busines.
Over 90% of our current managers started their careers as apprentices or trainees, as did many of our directors. So once you become qualified, the opportunities are endless!
What qualifications or experience do I need?
No experience is required, but candidates must have, or expect to achieve 4 GCSE / Standard Grade passes (C / 3 or above), to include Maths, English and a Science or Craft subject.
Where you could work?
Generation
Our Generation business is the UK's second largest generation business, with an ownership interest in over 100 thermal and renewable power stations, with a total capacity of over 10,000MW. We are also the UK's largest generator of electricity from renewable sources, owning and operating almost half of the UK's total renewable generation capacity.
Apprenticeships in Generation will normally last for around 4 years and candidates will study towards their Modern Apprentice Qualification. This is made up of the following parts in appropriate mechanical disciplines:
We have opportunities in Hydro power stations throughout the north of Scotland and Thermal Power stations in Ferrybridge, Yorkshire; Fiddler's Ferry, Cheshire; Keadby, Yorkshire; Medway, Kent and Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.
Power Systems
Our Power Systems business distributes electricity to 3.5 million homes and businesses across one third of the UK's total land area, through a network of 127,000 kilometres of underground cables and overhead lines. One of our principles of responsibility is to ensure the communities we serve have a safe and reliable supply of electricity and that we ensure we do everything we can to restore power supplies as quickly as possible following interruptions.
Our Power Systems apprenticeships normally last around 3 years, during which time candidates will work towards gaining their City and Guilds 2322 qualification.
We have opportunities for apprentices in mechanical and electrical fitting, overhead lines construction, maintenance and refurbishment and cable jointing in the north of Scotland and south of England.
Home Services
Our Home Services business has been set up to provide a market leading gas installation and maintenance service to new and existing customers. We have already secured 60,000 customers since the business was launched on 1st June 2006.
Apprenticeships in Home Services will normally last for around 4 years and candidates will study towards their Modern Apprenticeship Qualification. This is made up of the following framework, studying gas boiler and maintenance related disciplines:
We have opportunities for boiler installation and maintenance apprentices in the East of Scotland, the Central Belt of Scotland, North East England, Southern England and South Wales.
Building Services
Our Building Services business is one of the UK's leading mechanical and electrical contractors. The company is built on a foundation of quality, safety and good planning. It operates from 48 regional offices and employs 3000 experienced engineers and electricians nationwide.
Apprenticeships in Building Services also take around 4 years to complete and candidates will study towards their Modern Apprentice Qualification as an electrician. The course is made up of the following framework:
We have opportunities for apprentice electricians throughout the UK.
Datacoms
SEC Datacoms is one of the UK's leading data communications contractors. The main offices are in Reading and Perth, however data installers are based from home and cover much of the UK, including the central belt of Scotland and, in England, south of Birmingham.
Apprentiships in Datacoms will normally last around 4 years. Whilst studying towards a Modern Apprenticeship Qualification, candidates will also complete recognised data communication qualifications in copper and optical fibre installation, termination and testing. The course is made up of the following framework:
City and Guilds Technical Certificate
City and Guilds Data Communcations (copper and optical fibre)
NVQ* level 3 (vocational, on-job training)
Key skills
Traineeships
We have opportunities for traineeships within our Street Lighting division for candidates to train as Highway Lighting Operatives. The traineeship follows a slightly different framework to that of the apprenticeship programme as they usually take around 1 year to complete and on successful completion of training, an NVQ/SVQ level 2 will be awarded.
We have opportunities for Street Lighting traineeships in numerous locations throughout England. These range from Newcastle and Leeds in the North, to Redruth in the South West, from Southampton in the South to Slough and Reading centrally, and numerous locations in-between.
What salary and benefits would I receive?
During your training, you can expect a salary of between £7,698 - £16,611 per annum. As industry leaders, SSE also provides excellent benefits along with the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in today's energy industry.
Our staff are well rewarded with a benefits package that includes:
Generous annual leave entitlement
A contributory pension scheme
Share options
Childcare benefit scheme
Discounted utility bills and retail goods
Various other benefits in conjunction with our corporate partners
We also have a defined innovation programme, giving all staff the opportunity to have their ideas considered, trialled and in some cases implemented, if the trial is a success.
How do I apply?
The closing date for submitting applications for this year's Apprentice programme has passed. We will start inviting applications for next year's programme from October 2008 and hope you will consider applying then. We cannot consider any applications received before this date.