National Grid is hoping to switch young people in the North West on to a career in engineering after identifying a major skills shortage which needs to be filled by 2020.
The company, the UK’s largest utility, has identified a gap of nearly 1,000 engineers by the end of the next decade. Despite running successful graduate and apprentice schemes, it’s still predicting a shortfall in numbers.
The company opened a £1.3m purpose-built training centre in Hollinwood, near Manchester, earlier this year as part of a drive to develop the skills of young recruits but says that it still needs a bigger pool of talent from across the North West to draw on. (Case studies below on recent engineering recruits living or working in Manchester, Bolton, Chorlton, Wirral, Rochdale, Chester, Merseyside).
Research published today by the company has shown that young people are deterred from following engineering careers by negative perceptions of the job. The report “Engineering Our Future” shows that people view engineering jobs as menial and blue collar, seeing engineers as people in overalls who fix things, rather than professionals with the ability to design complex processes and run highly technical operations.
Steve Holliday, chief executive of National Grid said: “This report makes extremely worrying reading for me. Engineers are at the heart of our business. Our current level of “growing our own” through graduate and apprentices schemes will just not fill this gap. We need a bigger pool of talented young engineers – not a shrinking one.”
“In common with many engineering-based industries nearly one third of our existing workforce can retire between now and 2020.
“We have to turn round these negative perceptions about engineering and get young people to see it as an important, rewarding and secure career. The challenge of rebuilding the gas and electricity networks to handle renewable energy is facing us now and we need people who can design, plan and operate these systems. “
Many young school and college leavers and university graduates from the North West are currently pursuing rewarding careers with National Grid and a number of these have now spoken out to try to encourage their peers to follow in their footsteps (see case studies below).
Graduate trainee Tahasin Rahman recently spent a year working in Worsley with teams of engineers responsible for carrying out gas mains replacement work across the North West.
He said: “You are given a great level of responsibility from the very start. During my first year on the graduate training scheme, I was trusted to develop site safety procedures for engineers working on live gas pipes. The job is very challenging but the rewards are great – there is scope for career progression and the pay and benefits package is excellent.”
This perception of the industry is not shared by most people. National Grid’s research shows that only 6 of out 10 young people could name a recent engineering achievement and parents and teachers were unsure about where engineers work and how to get into engineering. There was also low appreciation of the contribution that engineering makes to society, making it almost “an invisible industry”. And for every 10 boys who would consider a career in engineering, there was only one girl.
Steve Holliday said: “This report has prompted a major review of our education and skills policy. We have to begin to inspire children at a younger age about the possibilities of what science and engineering can do and then keep them engaged until they are at the point of thinking about their future careers.”
Ends
For further media information only, contact Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372
For more information on career opportunities for school, college and university leavers, go to www.nationalgrid.com and click on careers.
For details of the report go to: http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Media+Centre/PressReleases/Documents/EngineeringOurFutureReport.htm
Cast Studies:
SHEENA RAJGOR
Age: 23
Born: Leicester
Currently working: Rochdale
Qualifications: BSc Hons Physics with Astronomy
Current position: Gas distribution engineer, but moving to work on electricity substation projects
Before joining National Grid: Worked at the National Space Centre as a tour guide and spent time in schools as a specialist science teaching assistant.
Why National Grid?
“I chose engineering because I really wanted to put the Physics and Mathematical skills I had picked up through my degree to a practical use. I enjoy finding out how things work and manipulating them to do what I want. A career in engineering seemed like the best route to do this.
"When I was applying for graduate jobs, I was keen to find a company that would offer me a wide array of opportunities as a graduate and National Grid does just that. I wanted to ensure I would be well looked after and be able to move through the company as I progress through my career. I liked the style of graduate placements, because it meant that I could see many different parts of the business over a short space of time and also undertake graduate training which helped with understanding how the business actually works.”
LEE ALLEN
Age: 23
Born: Bolton
Currently working: Bolton/Bury/Burnley area
Qualifications: NVQ2 and Nine GCSEs
Current position: Gas Distribution Engineer
Before joining National Grid: Started an engineering course at college but dropped out. Worked in a local hotel in various roles before deciding to give engineering another try.
Why National Grid?
“National Grid offers a very supportive environment in which to work. You learn on the job with the people you will be working with and you have a chance to build up good relationships with them. Each day, I am working in different locations, undertaking different tasks and there are lots of challenges. I work on repairing gas escapes and also lay new gas mains and services.
"The benefits package is excellent and the fact that you are enrolled in the company pension scheme from day one gives you a feeling that the company is committed to you and your future.”
JAMES SIMPSON
Age: 21
Born: Wirral
Currently working: Capenhurst substation with travel to other sites in North Wales and Cheshire
Qualifications: 11 GCSEs, City and Guilds and NVQ 2 in mechanical engineering
Current position: Substation fitter
Before joining National Grid: Worked as a welder for ten months.
Why National Grid?
“I enjoy working with my hands and with tools but the biggest bonus for me is working out of doors. I’ve been with National Grid for two years and work at substation sites across North Wales and Cheshire. I work on the equipment inside high voltage electricity substations carrying out repairs and maintenance.
“As a National Grid apprentice, the rates of pay are good and there is a lot of flexibility within the job. The training for the job is excellent – you learn a very wide range of skills at the company’s dedicated training facility at Eakring.”
JAMES ROBERTS
Age: 28
Born: Telford but lives in Chorlton
Currently working: Bristol
Qualifications: 3 A levels, HND in Audio Technology
Current position: Training to become a project engineer on electricity construction projects
Before joining National Grid: Couldn’t find work in the audio technology field so spent time working in offices and call centres before seeing information on the Foundation scheme on the National Grid website.
Why National Grid?
“I wanted a job which made use of my technical skills and was disappointed when I couldn’t find an opening after leaving university. My role with National Grid sees me shadowing project engineers and project managers and helping them with documentation and drawings relating to construction projects.
“I am currently helping with a project to install new circuit breakers at a substation at Hinkley Point in Somerset. I really enjoy the variety of the job – no two days are the same and there is a lot of responsibility attached to it. The training and support given are fantastic and my friends are very envious of the pay and perks I get as part of the job.”
TAHASIN RAHMAN
Age: 25
Born: Bangladesh
Currently working: Manchester
Qualifications: BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Current position: Working on gas mains replacement projects but moving to Metering for next placement
Before joining National Grid: Spent a year on an industrial placement with National Grid as part of his degree course and was sponsored by the company for his final year.
Why National Grid?
“One of the best things about National Grid is the level of responsibility you are given, even as a graduate. On my current placement, I have been given responsibility for developing safety procedures for teams of engineers working on gas mains replacement. When I move to my next placement in Metering, I am going to head a trial involving ‘smart metering’ technology which will eventually allow meters to be read remotely.
“The support I have received on my placements from my managers and my colleagues has been fantastic – people will always find time to help you out if you have a question or a problem.”
MALCOLM MONTGOMERY
Age: 28
Currently working: Predominantly in and around Merseyside.
Current positon: Senior Network Technician, SNT Pressure Control & Storage
Joined National Grid as a Graduate Trainee in 2005
Why National Grid?
"I have always been interested in understanding how things work and engineering is about doing this. The Graduate programme gave me the best opportunity to develop these skills.
"The day-to-day work varies considerably. My job involves managing our gas installations and this could involve anything from installing new equipment to conducting non-routine operations. There is typically always at least one project on the go. I could be getting design modifications approved, managing the local Pressure System Safety Regulation inspections, dealing with mechanical or design faults, organising personnel and writing or approving procedures for non-routine operations as required. I’d say I have a challenging, varied and fulfilling occupation.
"On a personal front National Grid will support me to get to my next career target to achieve chartered status as an engineer.
"I would encourage others to consider engineering as a career. It is hugely important in turning ideas into products and wealth, whether it is your car, your alarm clock, your gas supply or even the paint on your wall, all have been designed and engineered. When you consider the challenges posed by modern life, and particularly with the challenges posed by climate change, I think engineering is a place where you can make a real difference."