22 August 2005 00:00 Central Networks welcomes the next generation of power engineers
Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is taking a lead in pioneering a new scheme to encourage young engineers into the industry to help power the region for years to come.
This summer seven undergraduates from across the country will be spending two months with the company as part a special ‘Power Academy’ scholarship they have been awarded.
Sophie Stubbles, Calum Stewart, Alastair Mills, Scott Murray, Michael Dolan, Matt Barnett and Akinola Akinyemi beat off stiff competition to gain their prestigious Power Academy scholarship and a placement with Central Networks, which is part of E.ON UK, for the duration of their engineering degrees.
Central Networks Managing Director and Chairman of the Power Academy, Bob Taylor, said: “We’re facing a serious shortfall of electrical engineers in our industry and we’re determined to address this issue.
“We’ve joined forces with industry partners and four leading engineering universities to create the Power Academy, which is designed to encourage students to consider a career in our profession.
“The Academy will be one of our most valuable tools as we look to recruit and train the next generation of graduate engineers who will be helping maintain and improve the power supply across central England.”
The Power Academy is managed by the Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEE) and supported by the Government. Students from four universities, Southampton, Manchester, Strathclyde and Queens University in Belfast, apply to the Academy and only a hand full are selected by each of the partner energy companies* including Central Networks.
As part of the scholarship students receive a £2,000 bursary, money for books, the payment of university fees, mentor support from Central Networks and a two month placement every year of their degree.
During this summer’s placement the students will be working across different parts of the business to gain a real insight into the company and the industry.
Sophie Stubbles, who is studying at the University of Southampton and is currently working at the Moorgreen delivery centre in Nottingham, said: “I’m really enjoying my work placement with Central Networks. I’m taking the theory I’ve learnt at University and turning it into practice.
“Everyone has been so supportive and I’ve managed to get out and about and see the network for myself.
“This is only my first placement with the company and already I’ve learnt so much. I’m sure by the end of my degree I’ll have a set of skills which will be really valuable.”
Bob said: “With all the experience and skills that they’re gaining with us we’re hopeful that, once they finish their studies, they’ll remain in our industry and possibly even join Central Networks.
“It’s essential that we take steps as a business and an industry to ensure we encourage the best people with the right skills into our profession to maintain our electricity network and to help meet future energy needs.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – and via almost 97,000 substations;
Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
The Power Academy has been established to form an engineering scholarship fund for students that would like to study electrical engineering at the four partner universities and will offer support and finance for the duration on the university course.
*Companies supporting the Power Academy include Scottish and Southern Energy, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Western Power Distribution, CE Electric, United Utilities and National Grid Transco.
Sophie Stubbles, aged 18, is studying at the University of Southampton;
Callum Stewart, aged 22, Scott Murray, aged 18, Michael Dolan, aged 27 and Akinola Akinyemi are all studying at the University of Strathclyde;
Alistair Mills, aged 19 and Matt Barnett, aged 20 are studying at the University of Manchester.
For further information and pictures contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer.