We shared with the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, how our Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeships are helping power new careers in the energy industry and supporting regional skills growth.

We welcomed the Minister to our Swillington training centre this week to see its outdoor training facilities before meeting several Northern Powergrid apprentices at different stages in their apprenticeship programme.

The visit, which was part of The Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship Week, showcased how Northern Powergrid is training a new generation of engineers and craft people who will be part of sector that is critical to enabling a greener energy future.

Northern Powergrid is one of just a handful of UK employer training providers to be able to offer Ofsted Outstanding-rated apprenticeship programmes. The rating recognises the company’s commitment and ability to deliver high-quality apprenticeships and training for the people who will work on the region’s electricity network. It also formally recognises the high standard of training Northern Powergrid set and holds itself accountable to every day.

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “With over 170 apprentices currently on the books and a strong track record of offering a ladder of opportunity to people at all stages of their career, Northern Powergrid have truly earned their ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.

“It was a real privilege to meet some of Northern Powergrid’s apprentices at their training centre in West Yorkshire as part of National Apprenticeship Week and inspiring to see how the company is boosting our efforts to build a skills and apprenticeships nation.”

Gareth Pearson, Northern Powergrid’s Head of Health, Safety and Training, said: “Our apprenticeship programmes are a huge force for good in our business and the communities we serve. They will remain an integral part of how we recruit, grow and develop our workforce and we have more than 170 apprentices actively learning new skills and contributing to our business every day.

“We are a key regional enabler of net zero ambitions and a major employer. Over the next five years we’ll be creating 1,000 new job opportunities, many of which will be apprenticeships. We’ve already successfully trained more than 600 apprentices since 2009, and with 98 per cent of them remaining part of our team it demonstrates that this approach is right for our people and our company.

“Apprenticeships are helping us create a new generation of highly skilled people who can contribute not just to Northern Powergrid - but also the wider regional economy. We want to play our part in increasing the region’s workforce skill levels. That’s why we work with a range of partners, such as government, local colleges and the EU Skills Partnership, to help create educational opportunities that can help people reach their full potential.”

Find out more at www.northernpowergrid.com/careers.