Gas emergency and pipeline service Wales & West Utilities has recruited twenty-four apprentices to support its multi-million pound work across Wales and the south west of England.
The company has recruited the apprentices from right across its operating area to deliver on its commitment to invest in young people so they have the skills, confidence and innovative thinking to help drive Wales & West Utilities’ business long into the future.
This year’s intake of new recruits marks an increase on the last year’s apprentice numbers, which stood at twenty-two, and is 200 per cent up on the company’s 2013 figures. Wales & West Utilities is committed to delivering on its apprenticeship plans and seeks to attract more young people into the gas industry through its bespoke training programmes.
The new intake of apprentices will carry out all their training at Wales & West Utilities’ state of the art training academies in Treforest, south Wales, and Bridgwater, Somerset, as well as local colleges. The three-year programme will help the young people develop the skills to deliver a fast, efficient service that will keep customers safe and warm with a gas supply they can rely on for years to come.
The 2016 intake is focussed on the companies Build & Repair teams that maintain existing gas equipment and lay new gas supply pipes, as well as Mechanical Engineers and Electrical and Instrumentation Engineers for Network Services teams who maintain the control systems of the gas network.
The apprenticeship opportunities were advertised through the company’s website and social media channels as well as through local schools, colleges and Job Centre Plus.
Wales & West Utilities People & Engagement Director Sarah Hopkins said:
“We were delighted with the number of applicants to our apprenticeship programme this year. We’re preparing our business to meet the challenges of the future and recruiting the next generation of gas engineers is a key part of this.
“We have a reputation for providing outstanding levels of gas safety, reliability and customer service to the 7.5m people we serve – and we’re counting on our new apprentices to help us maintain this in the future.”
Wales & West Utilities has a team of more than 1000 trained and experienced engineers to help serve the 7.5m people across Wales and the south west of England that rely on its gas emergency and pipeline services. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
Our team is also working on a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.