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 the last article, I have completed my apprenticeship and been working on the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm since July 2025. Working offshore has significantly improved my skill level in wind turbine-specific areas, and I am now able to put the knowledge and skills learnt at college into real, practical use.
I have broadened my practical understanding by gaining experience at a gas power station. This has helped me to better understand how wind energy fits into the wider energy mix, and the role RWE plays in addressing challenges within the sector.
I have also been a finalist for three awards. Attending these events and being surrounded by so many inspiring people within the industry has been a surreal and incredibly motivating experience.
What’s next for you since completing your apprenticeship?
My plans for the future remain flexible, but I have recently begun a Higher National Certificate (HNC) to further my knowledge within the industry. I plan to continue my learning while gaining experience across different turbines and systems.
I have also been competing for the opportunity to represent the UK in renewable energy at the WorldSkills competition in Shanghai in 2026. Preparing for this has allowed me to apply many of the skills gained through my apprenticeship as I push myself to perform at my very best.
The energy sector offers a huge variety of roles and there are many online resources that allow you to explore options before applying.
What advice would you give to those considering an apprenticeship in energy?
My advice remains largely the same as before – be proactive and explore your interests. The energy sector offers a huge variety of roles and there are many online resources that allow you to explore options before applying. Platforms such as Springpod, Futures For All, and organisations like STEMettes are great ways to learn more about what’s available.
I would also encourage anyone interested to reach out to people working in the industry to ask questions and learn about their roles. It’s a great way to gain insight! Finally, don’t be afraid to take a sideways step or even start at the bottom; working your way up can provide valuable experience and lessons along the way!
February 2025
What is your apprenticeship?
Offshore Wind Turbine Apprentice at RWE.
Why did you choose to go down the route of an apprenticeship?
After finishing my A-levels, I wasn’t sure whether to go straight to university or take a gap year. I explored various options, and a family friend sent me a link to an opportunity with RWE as a Wind Turbine Apprentice. That’s when I decided to try it out. Offshore wind really appeals to me because we’ll really need this energy source for the future.
Since Year 10, I’ve been interested in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. Renewables were the focus of my GCSE Engineering project, which further sparked my curiosity. I’ve also been lucky enough to meet some amazing female role models from the industry, who’ve acted as mentors and pointed me towards opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise found.
Networking and seeking opportunities are key to success, and apprenticeships offer a great way to gain practical experience while working toward your goals.
What skills have you learnt so far during your apprenticeship?
I’m currently in my second year, and it has been a huge learning curve! Firstly, moving to Chester for the college portion of the apprenticeship taught me how to be independent and manage life on my own.
Technically, I’ve gained skills in electrical installations, hydraulic systems, mechanical assembly, and welding. I’ve realised during the apprenticeship that I already had a lot of the basics from school, but seeing all this knowledge come together and applying it has been amazing.
I’ve also had offshore experience, like climbing turbines. It was a great opportunity to apply the skills I’ve developed so far and see the practical side of my training. I’ve still got quite a bit to learn but I’m proud of how far I’ve come!
What has been your highlight of the programme?
One highlight was going offshore for the first time last summer and seeing what my future job could be like. Another was being nominated for the Young Energy Professionals Awards and being the youngest person at the ceremony.
Going to the awards as a nominee and meeting all the people in the industry was great. It was also inspiring to see really strong female role models on the stage. At the ceremony, questions were asked around how many people entered the industry through degrees versus. apprenticeships. It was great to see this balance, and how there are so many people who didn’t take the traditional degree route. This is very reassuring to me as a young apprentice.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
The academic side, especially exams, has been one of the challenges for me. I didn’t sit GCSEs due to COVID-19, so these were some of my first significant exams. Exams are tricky for me as I think I’m more practical and hands on. Over time, I experimented with different techniques to find what worked for me. Progress checks and support from lecturers helped me improve but overall, it was just about trial and error.
Is there someone who has stood out as being particularly influential on your apprenticeship journey (perhaps a mentor)?
Before the apprenticeship, my mentor from Siemens Energy played a huge role. Since joining the apprenticeship, I’ve had great support from my guide group and leaders who helped me grasp and learn different skills. Living and working alongside peers also means that there’s always someone looking out for you.
Have there been any unexpected opportunities that have arisen as a result of your apprenticeship?
WorldSkills has been an unexpected and rewarding opportunity. It’s basically the Olympics for technical skills. Whilst I never heard of it before, I got asked by my tutor whether I was interested and I just put my name forward.
Overall, it’s been amazing to be a part of the competition and learn extra engineering skills outside of the apprenticeship. For example, I was working on a very expensive but miniature version of a nacelle on the top of a turbine. A nacelle is a box-shaped housing that sits on top of a wind turbine tower and contains the turbine’s generating components. It’s considered the heart of the turbine.
When I did some of the assessments, I thought I wasn’t going to get through, telling myself that I can try again next year and focusing on learning as much as I can. But I ended up coming in second for the national finals, and I’m preparing for the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Competition which would be really exciting to be chosen for.
What are your goals for the future?
I definitely want to work with wind turbines for a while, and being practical and hands on for as long as possible. I’ve seen different degree routes you can take, including one which requires you to slowly build a portfolio after which you can get a degree through the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which I’m lucky enough to be a part of through RWE.
I’d also like to be become a chartered engineer and am considering specialising in a specific area of turbine technology. My plans are flexible, but I’m excited about what lies ahead. I’m also very excited to start going offshore from this summer.
What advice would you like to give to applicants who are interested in an apprenticeship?
Be proactive and explore your interests. There are so many resources online, especially with many activities becoming virtual since lockdown. Platforms like the Girls’ STEM Society offer opportunities to connect with like-minded people, join hackathons, and learn more about different industries.
Because someone once helped me, I’m passionate about mentoring others. I’ve already encouraged a student to consider apprenticeships when his school didn’t present it as an option. Networking and seeking opportunities are key to success, and apprenticeships offer a great way to gain practical experience while working toward your goals.
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.
