Drax is continuing its commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills by offering apprenticeships at its Galloway hydro power scheme, Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station, in Argyll and Bute and the Daldowie energy from waste plant, near Glasgow.
An apprentice from Dumfries is kick starting his career with Drax after the company extended its apprenticeship scheme to budding engineers across Scotland.
Drax is continuing its commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills by offering apprenticeships at its Galloway hydro power scheme, Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station, in Argyll and Bute and the Daldowie energy from waste plant, near Glasgow.
Ryan Connelly, aged 19, from Dumfries, has joined Drax’s Glenlee Power Station, part of the Galloway hydro power scheme.
He said: “At school, I started a Foundation Apprenticeship where I would spend part of the week learning engineering. Now, I am an apprentice at Drax and spend every day working hands on. It’s a great opportunity and everyone I work with is really supportive. I’ve definitely found what I want to do as a career.”
Ryan will be working at Glenee Power Station once he has completed formal training at EKGTA College (East Kilbride Group Training Association) in East Kilbride.
Drax’s apprenticeship scheme has been running for over 15 years at its North Yorkshire power station, and since it acquired a wider portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable generating assets, some of which are in Scotland, it has sought to extend the scheme to other locations.
Andy Koss, CEO Generation said:
“To be able to open up new opportunities for apprentices in Scotland is a really proud moment for us. It demonstrates our commitment to education and skills, as well as our dedication to our workforce and the future of these new Drax sites.
“The energy sector is experiencing unprecedented change with Drax right at the forefront of it. We’re going to continue to need talented, hard-working young people to help us deliver the changes needed to meet the UK’s net zero carbon ambitions. As we’ve seen with our apprentices elsewhere, supporting ambitious young people to develop their skills is critical to the ongoing success of our business.”
Drax’s technical apprenticeship scheme gives new recruits the opportunity to gain skills and expertise by working alongside highly qualified engineers. It is a four-year programme, and specialises in three engineering disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical and Control & Instrumentation.
Drax offers apprenticeships in business support areas too, such as Finance and Business Administration, as well as engineering. All opportunities are advertised on its website.
This year’s apprentices are:
- Danielle Nicholson (19) who will be working at Daldowie energy from waste plant, near Glasgow
- Gregor Fraser (19) who will be working at Daldowie energy from waste plant, near Glasgow
- Iain MacPherson (17) who will be working at Cruachan pumped hydro power station, Argyll and Bute
- Joshua Smith (24) who will be working at Cruachan pumped hydro power station, in Argyll and Bute
- Ryan Connelly (19) who will be working at Galloway hydro power scheme.
