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UK Power Networks Services recruits three new apprentices

Three new recruits are supercharging their careers on our power apprenticeship.

A former ballerina, personal trainer and water worker are switching to new roles with us. In the next two years they will learn highly skilled trades on the Power Networks Craftsperson (Level 3) Apprenticeships to enable them to work with the skilled teams that run the electricity networks at Gatwick and Heathrow.

With a career history that defies pigeon-holing, former smart meter fitter, skin therapist and ballerina, Saffron Shaw, 26, from Mayfield, East Sussex, is training to be a substation fitter based at Gatwick. A hands-on role wasn’t always on the cards for Saffron, who initially trained as a ballerina.

She said:

Ballet was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I had to train and train. After that I went into beauty therapy work, and became a skin therapist, then a podiatry assistant, and then I joined an energy company. We did basic electricity courses and I realised it was the more practical side of the work that I enjoy.

It was third time lucky for Corbin Miller, 26, from Slough, Berkshire, who will be training as a substation fitter at Heathrow. He gained experience as an electrical apprentice for a water firm and kept applying for the programme.

Corbin said:

I was relieved, it was my third time applying. If you want something enough my advice is keep going, persevere and you will get there.

Former personal trainer and electrician, Wesley Williams, 42, from Crowborough, East Sussex,is training to be a cable jointer and substation fitter at Gatwick.

The dad of three girls said:

The more people said it was an amazing place to work, the more I wanted the job. I don’t think people understand how much is controlled by electricity cables. It’s really important to keep the power on.

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