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Home energy apprentices
09/10/2009
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop today met with the first 50 young people taking part in a new apprenticeship in home energy efficiency.
The Modern Apprenticeship scheme is part of a Scottish Government funded partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy.
More than 100 places are being funded by the Scottish Government to develop specific skills in customer service and energy efficiency for Scottish and Southern Energy, to enable them to build a framework of energy professionals to support the company's long term ability to contribute to energy efficiency goals.
Visiting the Scottish and Southern office in Cumbernauld, Ms Hyslop said:
"The Scottish Government is undertaking a range of work, through our economic recovery plan and ScotAction to help individuals and organisations during the current downturn. We have already committed an additional #16 million to increase apprenticeship recruitment in Scotland.
"Our economic strategy commits to creating the right environment for competitiveness and growth of the energy sector in Scotland and this apprenticeship programme will provide Scottish and Southern Energy with highly skilled people in all aspects of energy efficiency and energy use in the home.
"In these difficult times for families and businesses, this programme allows Scottish and Southern Energy to expand its work in helping customers to cut bills and ultimately reduce emissions. The Scottish Parliament has already passed the Scottish Government's world-leading climate change legislation, and this new programme of apprenticeships is yet another illustration of the positive contribution Scotland can make to meeting global challenges.
"Just yesterday my colleague John Swinney announced that #2 million of interest free loans will be made available to help people cut their fuel bills and reduce emissions. This demonstrates the demand for the energy efficiency sector in which these young people will work. It is crucial that we continue to support people to develop skills in the sectors that will grow when we begin to see economic recovery."
Jim McPhillimy, Scottish and Southern Energy Group Services Director said:
"SSE is delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver home energy apprenticeships and to deploy a training programme to equip people with the skills and attitudes that can secure a sustainable energy future. Today we welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our new customer service operation in Cumbernauld to meet some of the young people who are part of our Home Energy Apprenticeships Programme. Energy efficiency has always been sensible; now it is imperative and all energy businesses need to treat it as core business and invest in the skills to deliver it."
Home Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Programme - This initiative sees the development of an all age apprenticeship for Energy Advisers that will develop the skills of individuals that will allow them to confidently engage with the people of Scotland about the important issue of reducing emissions. Some of the skills will include being able to: Identify energy efficiency requirements of customers, resolve energy efficiency problems and provide energy efficiency advice.
SSE currently employs thousands of people in customer service and over 19,000 people across the UK.
For further details of the interest free loans contact the Energy Saving Scotland advice centres on 0800 512 012 or visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/homeloans