15 UKPN apprentices complete first Trailblazer scheme

The first Trailblazer power network apprentices have completed their courses, marking a key milestone in the progress of the new scheme. Trailblazer apprenticeship standards were designed by employer groups, focusing on the requirements of employers.

According to Network, the 15 UK Power Network (UKPN) apprentices celebrated their graduation with a special event at the House of Commons. UKPN HR Director Chris Degg said: "This will be the benchmark standard for our industry."

The apprenticeship scheme is seen as a way to renew the UKPN workforce, helping it to meet the challenge of the Government's £100bn National Infrastructure Plan for 2016-2021. It was developed by the Energy and Efficiency Industrial Partnership (EEIP).

Tony Cocker, Chief Executive of Eon and chair of the EEIP, said the Trailblazer scheme shows that a strategic approach to vocational qualification development, together with employer ownership of skills, works for the power sector. Cocker said: "We have enabled employer ownership of skills to become a tangible reality, not words on a power point."

Cocker announced that the energy and utilities sector would recruit 4,000 apprentices in the next academic year, through the EEIP. In all, 92 organizations are now taking part in the development of additional Trailblazer standards that will build the scheme further.

The first group of Trailblazer apprentices represent a broad range of backgrounds and ages. The cohort even included a father-and-son pair from Essex. The power network craftsperson Trailblazer is a level 3 qualification which develops highly skilled low voltage jointers. City & Guild 2339 certificate for electrical power engineering is incorporated in the standard, as well as customer service training and other disciplines.

The House of Commons graduation celebration was attended by Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Prime Minister's Apprenticeship Advisor. Zahawi presented the apprentices with their certificates and congratulated them on their achievement.