Details of the scheme to bring in more engineers for boilers and green energy – the roles start on lower pay but rise quickly
Energy industry giant British Gas has announced it is hiring 300 new apprentices in roles which could be earning £32,000 once fully qualified. The new announcment will see the people taken on in engineering mostly.
The company said training taking place at the Ofsted regulated and award-winning British Gas Academies which are located in Leicester, Rotherham, Glasgow, Stockport, Thatcham and Dartford. The new hires will be helping customers with energy efficiency advice, fixing boilers and installing net zero measures to help customers save on bills and reduce their carbon emissions.
British Gas is aiming to attract more women into these roles to close the gender gap in engineering as well as people from underrepresented backgrounds. In a further annoucement the power giant also launched an apprenticeship in customer service with new recruits starting on the scheme in August and September this year.
The new programme will take place at the company’s UK based call centres and will provide extensive training on supporting and helping customers as part of company wide efforts to invest in customer service. British Gas has a commitment to hire 3,500 new apprentices to drive the green energy transition by 2030.
Industry groups say that as an apprentice the salary will start at £14,000 rising to £17,000 after 19 weeks and £20,000 after 27 weeks. Once fully qualified and working full time, it is expected that a salary will have risen to £28,000.
Additionally, on average engineers can earn a further £4000 each year through bonuses and overtime. British Gas are said to offer an array of excellent benefits including pension and company discounts.
The company also provides Pathway programmes for ex-forces, with an aim of hiring at least 500 by 2026, and for former Team GB athletes which includes the opportunity to start a new career as an apprentice.
Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, parent company of British Gas, said: “Education and employment are critical to raising standards of living. I’m proud that we are creating thousands of well paid, unionised jobs, and that we’re supporting ex-forces veterans and our amazing Team GB athletes as part of our broader arrangement with Team GB. It’s vital that we reflect the diversity of the customers and communities we support, and we’re committed to creating the workforce of the future that can deliver the UK’s net zero ambitions.
“The new customer service apprenticeship is part of our efforts to boost our customer operations. We’ve invested £50 million in customer service including hiring more UK based contact centre staff and introducing longer call centre opening times. We were recently recognised as the most improved energy supplier for customer service by USwitch – this shows our efforts are working but we continue to look at how we can improve customer service.”
“The new customer service apprenticeship is part of our efforts to boost our customer operations. We’ve invested £50 million in customer service including hiring more UK based contact centre staff and introducing longer call centre opening times.”
Andy Prendergast, National Secretary at GMB said: “This is good news. GMB has continually pushed for an increase in the number of apprentices taken on by British Gas and we are pleased to see these calls being turned into action. These new apprenticeships are great opportunities for people to earn while they learn vital skills and will help ensure we have the people necessary to meet the very real working challenges presented by the move towards Net Zero.”
Anyone wanting to apply can do so here.
