17 December 2009 12:58
E.ON energises gas apprentices in Midlands

Leading energy firm E.ON has stepped in to help find work for a dozen gas apprentices facing the prospect of redundancy - offering a cash incentive to West Midlands businesses able to help launch their careers.

Seventeen E.ON Building Services Academy apprentices, each qualified to NVQ Level 2 in gas installation and maintenance, were facing a real struggle to find jobs because of the economic downturn.

Having invested in their skills, E.ON was determined to secure positions in the industry for the trainees and offered an incentive of £2,000 to any employer that could take them on for a minimum of 12 months. 

The company is now working with SummitSkills in the West Midlands to help redeploy the group, with local operations manager Kevin Dowd contacting businesses in the region to find out what positions are available and which companies could get involved.

As a result, ten apprentices have already secured placements. 

Tammy Bristow, Building Service Academy Manager, said: "We've invested a great deal in the apprentices' development and training so it's a logical step to do what extra we can to provide good career opportunities.

"We hope our incentive helps employers take on these quality new recruits and provide them with some financial help as they get established in the current economic climate."

Kevin said: "This is a great chance for the area's employers, who are facing economic challenges, to benefit, not only from a cash boost, but also a newly qualified apprentice to help their businesses develop as we emerge from recession."

If you would like to take advantage of the opportunity to engage one of the remaining seven, who are actively seeking potential positions, please contact Kevin Dowd at SummitSkills on 07834 868955.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• E.ON's Building Services Academy is run by IDSL, part of E.ON's Energy Services business. Last year the Academy was awarded the 2008 Energy and Utility Skills Business Skills Awards for training Young Apprentices at NVQ Level 2.
• E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. We employ around 17,000 people in the UK and over 93,000 worldwide.