British Energy generates power workers of the future : Apprenticeship program taps into Royal Navy expertise

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a programme that will see some 250 British Energy apprentices trained at the Royal Navy's training partner, Flagship, over the next seven years. Design/methodology/approach – The paper details the background to the contract, the organization and content of the programme and the prospects for the apprentices when they are qualified. Findings – The paper reveals that each intake will spend the best part of two years undertaking the Flagship programme, followed by an additional two years at their home power stations until they are fully qualified. Apprentices are appointed into the maintenance departments at each of the company's sites. Their training covers electrical, mechanical or instrumentation skills, plus life skills. Following successful completion of their first year, all apprentices are streamed into their three separate engineering disciplines and focus on trade‐specific training and completion of academic qualifications. Upon completion of the four‐year apprenticeship, they are awarded a modern apprenticeship as well as a National Vocational Qualification or Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3 and a National Certificate qualification, which may lead to the option to continue to Higher National Certificate (HNC) level. Practical implications – The paper provides a good example of a partnership working. Originality/value – The paper emphasizes that the programme is as much about apprentices' ability to make judgements and to challenge things as about the technical side.