Proud Bexhill apprentice to help charge Britain’s low carbon future
An East Sussex recruit has joined an elite power apprenticeship programme, to help keep power flowing to millions of homes, while supporting Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Terry Payne, who is 36, from Bexhill, has gained a place among 14 new recruits on UK Power Networks’ highly-acclaimed apprenticeship, learning the expert skills to help keep the lights on for 8.4 million homes and businesses across the South East, London and East of England
The apprenticeship programme was recently accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting the highest standards of quality, content, support and assessment.
Terry will spend the next two years on the programme studying at dedicated training centres and working under supervision alongside experienced experts in Lewes to become a linesperson, maintaining, connecting and repairing the overhead electricity network. He will learn vital skills and play an important role in meeting the growing demand from communities and organisations as more and more turn to low carbon technologies such as Electric Vehicles and heat pumps.
Terry, who previously worked as an electrician at a large shopping centre in Sussex, said: “Overhead power lines are a big part of the electricity network. It’s sensational to be part of the trade. The overhead linesperson role appealed to my adventurous side. I like climbing, hiking and holidays in Wales, so it appeals to my outdoors nature.
“When I decided what trade to do, I wanted to challenge myself. In this industry there is a lot of maths and the role is safety critical. I wanted to put myself in a position where I had to be focused and on-the-ball and deliver work where there is an element of pride.
“I like the way the world is going with the upscaling of Electric Vehicles. We are like legacy-makers, we are going to be doing something that will outlive us and our children will benefit when more people are driving EVs. I’m going to be a massive part of that.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I just want to be the best overhead linesperson I can be and keep learning. I know there are more opportunities for me here and it’s nice to know there are doors that are ready for me to walk through when the time is right.
“UK Power Networks saw something in me, gave me this apprenticeship and it’s like a dream come true. It is a surreal feeling when you have this ambition to be an electrician, achieve it, then join a company like this, which is the pinnacle. Now, I get the chance to build a career and I feel really blessed. It’s not luck, I have worked really hard to get here.
“I was really, really happy to gain a place on the apprenticeship programme. I had heard of this company and thought one day I will walk through those doors. When I did it was a really proud moment. I have always liked developing and this is the biggest step yet on my journey.”
Rt Hon Justine Greening, chair of the Purpose Coalition, said: "Apprenticeships are an integral part of how we plug the skills gap, enabling young people to earn while they learn and providing them with a positive pathway to a career. As an employer-provider, UK Power Networks were rated good with two areas of outstanding in their recent Ofsted inspection.
“UK Power Networks are expanding their programme, opening up access to traditional and emerging careers which will be part of a new high tech, green economy. Its continuing work to develop and support young people will provide a pipeline of talent directly from the communities it serves and will also drive stronger social mobility - a key imperative for a successful Britain of the future.
“As a leading member of the Purpose Coalition, UK Power Networks has demonstrated the positive impact that a purpose-led company can have on those communities it’s part of, as well as on its customers and colleagues. In the face of the twin challenges of recovery from the pandemic and the current economic crisis, as well as the acceleration to net zero, it has stepped up to the mark as the first distribution network operator to partner with the Purpose Goals initiative. Measuring the impact it has across a range of social mobility indicators, will enable the business to continue to ensure that opportunity is open to everyone."
Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “As more industries look to low carbon technologies to help achieve their sustainability and cost ambitions, our apprentices can play an important role in helping to achieve the country’s Net Zero carbon emissions targets over the coming years.
“We look to recruit people who share the company’s focus on teamwork and values. They will shadow an experienced team as part of their training, spending at least a quarter of the programme completing on-the-job training.
“Our apprenticeship is an ideal opportunity for people who enjoy working in the outdoors and want variety as they will face different challenges every day, usually in different locations.”
UK Power Networks is ranked number one in the UK in the global Smart Grid Index and was also named first in London earlier this year on the Best Big Companies to Work For list 2022. The company is also rated as a ‘Platinum’ level Investor in People.
Applications for the next intake of 50 apprentices for 2023 are open. More information on applications can be found here.
Terry Payne, who is 36, from Bexhill, has gained a place among 14 new recruits on UK Power Networks’ highly-acclaimed apprenticeship, learning the expert skills to help keep the lights on for 8.4 million homes and businesses across the South East, London and East of England
The apprenticeship programme was recently accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), meeting the highest standards of quality, content, support and assessment.
Terry will spend the next two years on the programme studying at dedicated training centres and working under supervision alongside experienced experts in Lewes to become a linesperson, maintaining, connecting and repairing the overhead electricity network. He will learn vital skills and play an important role in meeting the growing demand from communities and organisations as more and more turn to low carbon technologies such as Electric Vehicles and heat pumps.
Terry, who previously worked as an electrician at a large shopping centre in Sussex, said: “Overhead power lines are a big part of the electricity network. It’s sensational to be part of the trade. The overhead linesperson role appealed to my adventurous side. I like climbing, hiking and holidays in Wales, so it appeals to my outdoors nature.
“When I decided what trade to do, I wanted to challenge myself. In this industry there is a lot of maths and the role is safety critical. I wanted to put myself in a position where I had to be focused and on-the-ball and deliver work where there is an element of pride.
“I like the way the world is going with the upscaling of Electric Vehicles. We are like legacy-makers, we are going to be doing something that will outlive us and our children will benefit when more people are driving EVs. I’m going to be a massive part of that.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I just want to be the best overhead linesperson I can be and keep learning. I know there are more opportunities for me here and it’s nice to know there are doors that are ready for me to walk through when the time is right.
“UK Power Networks saw something in me, gave me this apprenticeship and it’s like a dream come true. It is a surreal feeling when you have this ambition to be an electrician, achieve it, then join a company like this, which is the pinnacle. Now, I get the chance to build a career and I feel really blessed. It’s not luck, I have worked really hard to get here.
“I was really, really happy to gain a place on the apprenticeship programme. I had heard of this company and thought one day I will walk through those doors. When I did it was a really proud moment. I have always liked developing and this is the biggest step yet on my journey.”
Rt Hon Justine Greening, chair of the Purpose Coalition, said: "Apprenticeships are an integral part of how we plug the skills gap, enabling young people to earn while they learn and providing them with a positive pathway to a career. As an employer-provider, UK Power Networks were rated good with two areas of outstanding in their recent Ofsted inspection.
“UK Power Networks are expanding their programme, opening up access to traditional and emerging careers which will be part of a new high tech, green economy. Its continuing work to develop and support young people will provide a pipeline of talent directly from the communities it serves and will also drive stronger social mobility - a key imperative for a successful Britain of the future.
“As a leading member of the Purpose Coalition, UK Power Networks has demonstrated the positive impact that a purpose-led company can have on those communities it’s part of, as well as on its customers and colleagues. In the face of the twin challenges of recovery from the pandemic and the current economic crisis, as well as the acceleration to net zero, it has stepped up to the mark as the first distribution network operator to partner with the Purpose Goals initiative. Measuring the impact it has across a range of social mobility indicators, will enable the business to continue to ensure that opportunity is open to everyone."
Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “As more industries look to low carbon technologies to help achieve their sustainability and cost ambitions, our apprentices can play an important role in helping to achieve the country’s Net Zero carbon emissions targets over the coming years.
“We look to recruit people who share the company’s focus on teamwork and values. They will shadow an experienced team as part of their training, spending at least a quarter of the programme completing on-the-job training.
“Our apprenticeship is an ideal opportunity for people who enjoy working in the outdoors and want variety as they will face different challenges every day, usually in different locations.”
UK Power Networks is ranked number one in the UK in the global Smart Grid Index and was also named first in London earlier this year on the Best Big Companies to Work For list 2022. The company is also rated as a ‘Platinum’ level Investor in People.
Applications for the next intake of 50 apprentices for 2023 are open. More information on applications can be found here.