NEWS


Career changers switch on to power apprenticeships


Twenty-eight career changers have joined UK Power Networks, to build new careers on the power network.


A barber, zoo worker and a coastguard are among the recruits switching on to two-year experienced craft apprenticeships with Britain’s biggest electricity distribution network.


Over the next two years they will retrain as overhead linespeople working at height, substation fitters and underground cable jointers, becoming experts at keeping power supplies safely and reliably flowing for 8.5 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East


of England or work on electricity infrastructure projects at UK Power Networks Services. Foundation apprentices complete the programme in three years, while those with experience from other sectors cover exactly the same course, intensively in just two years. College courses and practical skills gained at the company’s bespoke training centres in Kent and Suffolk, are practised under close supervision on-the-job. Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers and this year we’ve welcomed a total of 54 experienced apprentices.


Robert Halfon MP visits Screwfix store in Harlow


Screwfix welcomed Robert Halfon MP for Harlow, Essex, to its Harlow store to meet with staff on the retailer’s successful Apprenticeship programme.


Mr Halfon, who was hosted by the store team and Screwfix HR director, Liz Bell, had the opportunity to learn about the business and Screwfix’s commitment in supporting staff development through its apprenticeship programme. Mr Halfon MP said: “I was delighted to visit Screwfix, it was great to not only tour the site and sign up as a customer but also to meet their incredible Level 3 Apprentice, Sam, who was training to become an assistant manager. “As Harlow’s MP, I am proud to represent one of the best, biggest and oldest Screwfix branches in the country, which is helping the local and national economy by employing 16 residents and creating £4m in revenue every year.” Ms Bell said that more than 600 apprentices are currently training across the business in areas such as retail management, HR, finance, data and legal, and over 85% of Screwfix’s apprentices who complete the programmes are promoted. Screwfix was included in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2023, the annual accolade compiled by the Department for Education that


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This group have reached a junction in their life where they want to try something new. “Our experienced apprentices view this chance to retrain while earning, as a ‘golden ticket’ which is an exciting gateway to the rest of their career.


“We don’t always know at 16 what we want to do when


we’re 30 and we are seeing an enthusiastic pipeline of talent with itchy career feet who have transferrable skills, life experience and are waiting for that opportunity to gain new skills and experience in their chosen career.”


This autumn’s apprentices are the firm’s second cohort of 2023.


FDB Electrical DC immune RCDs FDB11 and FDB2


Now is usually the time for regular railway maintenance, to ensure equipment is ready to deal with the demands of winter.


celebrates England’s outstanding apprenticeship employers. Screwfix was recognised for its commitment to creating new apprenticeships, the diversity of apprentices, and the number of apprentices who successfully achieve their apprenticeships.


Staff from Harlow store – located in Ascent Park, Edinburgh Way, CM20 2HW – can participate in the retailer’s apprenticeship scheme, joining 5 colleagues in the area.


Screwfix is also committed the future of the Trade industry through its Trade Apprentice competition and its partnership with TrAC, the Flexi- Job Apprenticeship agency. A recent Kingfisher study shows a national shortage of tradespeople is set to cost the UK £98bn in missed economic growth by 2030.


NOVEMBER 2023 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS


This year has been slightly different with intermittent strikes which have put special demands on scheduling of these maintenance and repair works. The FDB Online store has been very helpful in fulfilling availability of the specialist units required throughout this highly variable scheduling period. The need to update/upgrade electrical systems has put an especial demand on the FDB range of approved Network Rail DC immune protection devices. These include the FDB2 Multiway RCBO which offers 2,3 or 4-way multi-circuit protection in a single enclosure, and features modular construction housings with double pole 110/230V equipment, MCB ratings from 10A to 32A featuring rated trip currents of 20mA, 30mA or 100mA.


FDB11 units in ratings from 10amp to 100amp offer general purpose RCD protection as approved Network Rail DC immune enclosed units with 20 or 30, or 100mA devices. Units conform to relevant RCD and MCB standards.


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