10 October 2005 00:00 Skills Minister supports Central Networks’ training centre and pioneering educational programme
Phil Hope MP, Minister for Skills, has commended Central Networks for the work it is doing to encourage more young engineers and skilled people into it’s business and the power industry.
In a recent visit to Central Networks specialist training centre at Tipton, Mr Hope, MP for Corby, saw first hand the work that Central Networks is doing to train a record number of apprentices and heard about a pioneering skills programme the company plans to roll out to schools across the central region.
Central Networks Managing Director Bob Taylor said: “There is a real need to encourage more power engineers and skilled people into our business as we invest over a billion pounds on replacing ageing network and reinforcing supplies to our customers across central England.
“We welcomed the opportunity to show the Minister around our training facility and to share with him the steps we’re taking to encourage the next generation of our workforce.”
Phil Hope said: “I was impressed by Central Networks’ innovative work to bring more trainees into its sector. Their work with local schools will help improve vocational education in the region and ensure trainees have the skills necessary to become fully-trained electrical engineers and skilled crafts people.”
Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has taken on a record 30 new apprentices this year.
The apprentices, who recently started their training, will spend some of their time at the training centre while also gaining experience at the company’s delivery centres in Gloucester, Worcester, Stoke and Tipton.
The pilot schools engagement programme is currently being developed with two schools in the West Midlands - Matthew Bolton College and Turves Green Girls School and Technology College, both in Birmingham.
“It’s an exciting time for Central Networks as we embark on the new training programme, welcome new apprentices and continue on our huge investment programme,” said Bob.
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to share everything we’re doing with the Minister. Investment in skills and education will ensure our sector and the company will have the skilled people needed in the future.”
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 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.
For further information and pictures of the Phil Hope MP meeting Bob Taylor and young engineers please contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 4583
rebecca.middleton@eon-uk.com