Eight young apprentices have been employed by SSE Thermal to launch their careers at Peterhead – a record intake for the north-east power station as it looks to a low-carbon future
Working across a variety of business areas, the group join two other apprentices who began work at Peterhead 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 Fraserburgh campus. They will continue to blend formal education with practical work-based learning across a four-year Modern Apprenticeship programme.
All apprentices 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 critical flexibility to the electricity system, supporting increased penetration from renewable generation 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.
"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."
Lee Gray, SSE Thermal’s Station Manager at Peterhead
“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 both from Peterhead, with 18-year-old Chloe Corbett working as an Electrical Apprentice and Jude Junor, 17, working as a Mechanical Apprentice.
At the end of August, both Chloe and Jude met with David Duguid, MP for Banff and Buchan, during a tour of the site. He has welcomed the news that more apprentices are joining the team in Peterhead.
David Duguid, 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.”