School leavers and experienced workers are among 55 new apprentices enlisted by UK Power Networks to play a key part in Britain’s clean energy future.
One of the 15 London new recruits delighted to be chosen, was 19-year-old Elijah Briggs from Hounslow who will become a cable jointer with UK Power Networks Services. He applied after his tutor told him how good the scheme was. He said: “I applied and didn’t think I had a chance, but he encouraged me and I made it through the first round and then the interviews and the assessment day. I was really nervous but I came out feeling proud of myself.
“I worked in a pub and when I got the call I played it cool, put the phone down and started screaming in the staff room! Everyone was really proud of me. This is a good time to get into this industry, the future is electricity.”
Elijah loves working outdoors and did an outdoor course after sixth form to become an activity leader. He also loves sports and used to play rugby for Twickenham Rugby Club.
Other new London apprentices, who beat off stiff competition from more than 2,000 applicants to win their roles, include:
Connal Macbeth, 29, from Peckham, South East London, will pursue a new career as a substation fitter at Canning Town
Daniel Harney, 31, from Leytonstone, East London, is training to be a cable jointer in Lea Valley
Ryan Murphy, 23, Barnet, North London, is training as an overhead linesperson, based at Hemel Hempstead
Elliott Burns, 41, from north London is retraining to be a substation fitter in the Chilterns
James Howden, 17, from Bexleyheath, is training as an electricity substation fitter in Falconwood
Callum Grant, 18, from Enfield, is training as a substation fitter at Borehamwood.
Ubayd Kayan, 28, from Bexley will be working from the Falconwood depot as a substation fitter
James Regis, 33, from Stratford will also be working from Canning Town
Omari Hibbert, 18, from Lewisham is going to be a cable jointer working out of Brixton depot
Ibshar Uddin, 19, from the Westminster area will be a substation fitter working from Camden depot
Alvaro Lincango, 19, from Hillingdon will be a cable jointer at Camden
Shay Fitzgerald, 17 from Uxbridge has wanted to be an electrician since he was 14 and will be a cable jointer based in Camden
Michael Cook, 17, from Enfield is going to be a cable jointer based in Lea Valley
(read more from them all, below)
The 15 new hires are stepping into critical trades to maintain reliable power supplies to 20 million people across London, the South East and East of England, supporting Britain’s transition to low-carbon power. The foundation and experienced apprentices are part of the firm’s workforce to help meet a growing demand for electricity and enable more solar energy, electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.
Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Our apprenticeships nurture local talent and prepare the technical energy experts of tomorrow to power our regions’ future. We are building a strong, skilled workforce drawn from the very communities we serve, enabling recruits from London to play a vital role in maintaining, connecting and upgrading the electricity network for homes and businesses and helping power Britain’s low-carbon future.”
The firm has invested £6m in its apprenticeship programme this year, which has won several awards including national recognition from the Department for Education. Applications for apprenticeships starting in September 2026 are open now, see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/careers
