OREANDA-NEWS. SSE recently welcomed its latest batch of new apprentices and three of them have earned a spot at the energy company's Aldbrough Gas Storage facility in Hornsea.

Jack Bates, Patrick Hall and Zak Vierucci will spend their first year with the company studying at the Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) before taking up a permanent placement at Aldbrough to work alongside some of SSE's most experienced employees.

Jack who is now an electrical, control and instrumentation technician apprentice lives in Withernwick said: "I decided to apply for the apprenticeship because it's a great route to work. I like that it mixes theory and practical skills with the support of such a big company."

Patrick, a mechanical technician apprentice, lives in Market Rasen added: "I was looking for an engineering role and SSE stood out. They were offering a wide range of opportunities and locations and it looks like a place where you could have a very long career."

Zak, an electrical, control and instrumentation technician apprentice, lives in Hornsea noticed SSE's strong safety culture: "The main thing I've noticed so far is how serious SSE takes safety. All our PPE and documentation were already set up and our managers have been banging into us how important staying safe is."

Michael Gillatt, Head of site operations at Aldbrough, has been impressed with his latest recruits: "All three lads have been fantastic so far and really impressed everyone. They're all very positive and enthusiastic about the training and even asked to spend a few days on site during their Christmas break.

"They've had a busy start to their time here but we're looking forward to welcoming them to Aldbrough."

More than 160 apprentices are plugging into a new career at SSE, where as talented engineers and electricians of the future, they will be learning how to keep the UK's lights on and homes warm.

Jack, Patrick and Zak are among 169 bright sparks of the thousands who originally applied to land places on SSE's prestigious training scheme.

The new recruits are part of a 500-strong team of youngsters currently going through various stages of their training programmes, at an average investment of £80,000 per trainee. This year 20% more trainees have been hired than last year.

Over the next few years they will learn the tools of their trade whilst attending college to study the theory of their new profession.