New London power apprentices are learning to master skills which keep electricity flowing to millions of customers at UK Power Networks’ awards-winning training schools.
Simon Holdsworth, 44, from Bromley, Rahie Rahman, 25, from Barnet, Rory Fielding, 33, from Enfield, Mark Bowden, 28, from Islington and Hardey Severs, 16, from Bexley, are among 27 new apprentices preparing with Britain’s biggest electricity network for jobs that keep safe and reliable power supplies flowing to 20 million people across London, the South East and East of England.
They will train with some of the best in the business at the company’s purpose-built training facilities, where 110 craft apprentices learn specialist little-known trades as cable jointers, substation fitters and linespeople. UK Power Networks was recently named Large Employer of the Year in the Department for Education’s South East Regional Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024 and won Training Provision of the Year at the Energy & Utility Skills Awards 2024.
Ahead of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (11-15 November), the London recruits explained why they want to work in the electricity industry.
Career changer Simon Holdsworth, 44, from Bromley, is training as a cable jointer in Brixton. He gained years of experience as an electrician before becoming a stay-at-home dad, who retrained as a teaching assistant then relocated from Bradford in 2014, working on the railway network for 10 years.
Simon said: “The jobs I have done are getting your hands dirty, mucking in. I don’t know if I could sit in an office. That would drive me crazy. I’ve always been interested in electrics and wanted to work in this industry but felt you had to know someone. When this job came up, I questioned whether I was too old for an apprenticeship. I have probably done some of the work as an electrician, on a smaller scale. Everything is going to be a lot bigger, but because of my background I’m not daunted.
“Once I qualify, I will be maintaining electricity supplies to people’s homes and businesses, running new cables in or joining existing cables. When there is a street full of people who want the power back on, we will be the ones that get it back up and running.”
He added: “UK Power Networks seems like a family orientated business, where staff are looked after, which is very rare these days. There are a lot of people that have worked here a long time, and something has got to be right for people to stay.
“The world has changed in the last five years with the country’s Net Zero goals, more EVs, solar panels and heat pumps. I think it’s going to be a boom, big time.”
Hardey Severs, 16, from Bexley, is training as an overhead linesperson straight from school. The former Hurstmere School, Sidcup, student said: “It felt amazing to get the job. I’ll be helping to keep the electricity supply flowing, connect new electricity supplies throughout the area and help the public.
“It’s a very good job and an opportunity to learn new skills and make new friends.
“I’m used to working in all weathers. Lots of people work in jobs where they have to deal with all weather conditions, so why shouldn’t we?”
His step-dad and mum work for the company and are proud of his success.
Hardey said: “I have grown up being around the company. It’s not an easy company to get in to and they know how hard I have worked for this. This is a long-term job and I’d like to stay here.”
Rahie Rahman, 25, from Barnet, will train as a substation fitter in Lea Valley. He said: “I’m very excited. I’m enjoying it a lot. I wasn’t always interested in the electricity industry: I went to the university for law, and realised I didn’t want to do it. The electricity industry was something I wanted to get in to, and UK Power Networks was always number one on my list.
“It’s amazing how much UK Power Networks prioritises the safety of staff. They don’t just view it from a physical point of view, they also look at it from a mental perspective too. They had safety experts come in and speak to us on our first day, which I thought was very impressive from the company.”
Dad of two Rory Fielding, 33, from Enfield, will train as a cable jointer at the company’s Covent Garden offices. An experienced apprentice joining the course, Rory has previously worked in telecommunications on underground cables.
He said: “I’ve always had a keen eye for the electricity industry, and I got to a point where I was ready for a change. This is a big step for me as I have a family to support. But this is an industry which is booming.
“I enjoy the satisfaction we get out of working with people and helping someone out. Being able to provide that and use your expertise, you’re also an enabler so a customer can get back to work and life once you’ve restored their power.”
Mark Bowden, 28, from Islington, will learn the substation fitting trade in Lea Valley. Arsenal fan and dad of one, Mark previously worked in welding and lightning protection, before joining the apprenticeship course.
Mark said: “It’s great to be on the course. Knowing the competition for places, I’m happy to be on and there’s a lot of new stuff to learn.
“In my previous job in lightning protection, we used to install the earthing for substations. UK Power Networks would inspect the work that we did, so we used to talk to them, and I heard great things.
“I’m looking forward to gaining overall knowledge of the fitting profession. There’s so much to learn, especially now that we’ve visited a substation and had a look at how things work. It’s a little bit daunting, but it’s exciting at the same time!”
Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Our apprentices are getting ready to take on crucial roles maintaining electricity supplies in our communities, work that typically happens behind the scenes, around the clock, and regardless of the weather.
“Safety and welfare are central to our apprenticeship, and we expect high standards of ourselves and our new apprentices. We nurture and empower apprentices to realise their potential, building a foundation for skilled lifelong careers and development opportunities.”
There were 33 applications for every vacancy on the Power Networks Craftsperson (Level 3) Apprenticeships. The programme has seen a 38% Distinction rate, exceeding national retention and completion rates, with all who qualify gaining employment with the company.
The new trainees include three women in a sector where women are welcomed but underrepresented among job applications. Sixteen apprentices will train as linespeople, six as cable jointers and five as substation fitters. Theory gained at college is put into practice under supervision with mentors at their local depots and at the training centres.
The 27 apprentices include school and college leavers like Hardey, who can qualify in three years, and apprentices making a career change like Rahie, Rory, Simon and Mark, who complete condensed training in two years.
