In 2025 Energy UK showcased a range of apprentices as they took their first steps into the energy industry. One year on, we caught up with the same people to find out how their apprenticeship has helped to progress their new careers.
A year has passed since you last updated us on your apprenticeship, what you are now doing?
Since completing my apprenticeship, I took some well‑deserved time out to travel and relax before jumping back into the next chapter of my career. After returning, I joined NESO’s Network Access Planning team as a Scheme Representative.
In this role, I act as the key point of contact for major network schemes across the South of England and Wales. My day‑to‑day work includes reviewing planned works such as commissioning switching programmes, identifying system access risks, working closely with planners and stakeholders, and making sure outages are technically robust and aligned with wider system needs.
I’m now accountable for assessing the outage requirements specific to the schemes I’m responsible for.
After six months in the role, I became authorised last October. This was a key milestone for me, as I’m now accountable for assessing the outage requirements specific to the schemes I’m responsible for, and can independently approve technical programmes to ensure they meet system security, operability, and wider planning standards.
As I continue to take ownership of my schemes, I’m focused on strengthening my technical knowledge and growing my confidence in making these decisions.
February 2025
What is the name of your apprenticeship?
Power System Engineer – Higher Apprentice at National Energy System Operator (NESO)
Why did you choose an apprenticeship over university?
Choosing an apprenticeship over university is a personal decision that depends on your career goals, aspirations, and learning preferences. Personally, when it came down to choosing what I wanted to study after school, I was at a crossroads. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to university, but I knew I liked science and maths, and that’s when a friend recommended apprenticeships to me. And I’m so glad they did!
Apprenticeships come with benefits such as hands-on experience, earning while you learn, industry connections, and learning key industry skills that help career progression. If you thrive in practical environments and want to kickstart your career with hands-on experience and financial independence, an apprenticeship can be a highly rewarding path. Do your research on what type of apprenticeship you wish to apply for, and don’t be afraid to just go for it.
Once you’ve set out on your path, network! Don’t be afraid to talk to people and ask questions.
What does your day to day look like?
As an apprentice, my day-to-day responsibilities are divided between my on-job placement, university and specific company trainings. Within my placement, I spend a significant portion of my time addressing and resolving various challenges.
A core part of my day-to-day routine is regular meetings with supervisors, team members and external stakeholders. These provide a valuable opportunity to discuss ongoing projects, receive feedback, and align on objectives. Finally, my day also involves reviewing and filing reports that update stakeholders on project progress, findings and any issues encountered.
Overall, a day at university is a balance of academic responsibilities, personal development and socialising with our peers. The day often starts with morning lectures, which are a mix of listening, note-taking, and class discussions. After lectures, there might be some time to head to the library to review that day’s work, relax in our hotel rooms, or go out to dinner together.
What skills are the most important?
I believe communication is a crucial skill within apprenticeships, whether it’s related to training or university work, or any questions you might have for your colleagues. Clarity when exchanging information helps when understanding tasks, receiving constructive feedback, and discussing anything else that might come up. It also helps increase your confidence when liaising with stakeholders, which in turn helps develop your relationships with co-workers.
What do you want to do with your career?
Currently, I’m focused on finishing my end-of-apprenticeship exams. Once that’s complete, I’d like to move into my chosen placement full time and work towards the next stage of my authorisation. I’m eager to contribute the skills and knowledge gained during my apprenticeship in my team, new projects, and the company, while continuing my professional development.
Would you recommend it to your friends?
One hundred per cent – taking the apprenticeship route has been a great fit for me. Many of my friends wish they’d researched apprenticeships more when in school, as they’ve found it difficult to secure a graduate position after leaving university.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Deciding which path to take can always be difficult, so don’t be afraid to explore multiple opportunities. Once you’ve set out on your path, network! Don’t be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Often, it’s the people you know who can help you open doors to new opportunities.
Energy UK will continue to shine a light on apprenticeships as one of the most powerful tools for building a skilled, diverse and motivated energy workforce. You can find more examples of successful apprentices via our Jobs In Energy resource, which also demonstrates the benefits of working in the sector, lists apprenticeships offered by Energy UK members, and links to other useful sites where you can find open apprenticeship schemes.
We also publish case study collections demonstrating how apprenticeships are driving the energy transition and ways that Energy UK members are building the workforce for our future energy system. If you have a case study showcasing innovative work within the sector, please get in touch via press@energy-uk.org.uk.
Interested in starting a career in energy?
For the country to reach Net Zero, the energy industry will need all the people it can get – from all kinds of backgrounds, with a diverse range of skills.
A job in energy could mean anything from a nuclear engineering apprenticeship, to working in customer service for a retail energy company, or a role at a tech startup – so you might not know where to start.
The Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum has created this guide to help you find the right route into a job in energy.
