SEUK Recognised as “Large Business of the Year” at the Northern Skills Apprenticeship Awards 2022
November 18, 2022
Sembcorp Energy UK (SEUK) is honoured to be recognised as Large Business of the Year at the 2022 Northern Skills Apprenticeship Awards ceremony, held at Rockcliffe Hall on 17 November.
Northern Skills, the dedicated apprenticeship training arm of Middlesbrough College Group, holds the annual event to recognise outstanding progress made by apprentices – and the commitment to skills and training from forward-thinking employers across the region.
Matt Telling, Group Director of Business Engagement and Partnerships at Middlesbrough College Group, said when announcing SEUK as the winner:
“The volume and diversity of its apprenticeships underpins a real commitment to ensuring the future success of the organisation, with apprentices making up approximately 8% of its North East workforce.”
Sembcorp Energy UK has nearly doubled the number of apprentices at Wilton International, its headquarters on Teesside. The company welcomed a further 14 apprentices in 2022, which is its largest ever intake.
“Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the industry,” said Jo Potter, Head of Human Resources. “And cultivating a qualified upcoming workforce is fundamental to our ongoing success.”
“The company has a solid track record of maintaining apprentices and providing flourishing career opportunities,” Jo said. “This also demonstrates there are more ways to progress in solid career paths, rather than only through a university degree, and we have great experience of this.”
Graham Taylor, HR Business Partner, explains Sembcorp Energy UK’s dedication to its apprenticeship programme is built upon a a “grow your own” philosophy.
“We’ve worked with Northern Skills and its sister operation TTE for years to bring on apprentices and it’s proved an effective part of our succession plans,” said Graham.
Graham started his own career as an apprentice and has a deep knowledge of the benefits from apprentice programmes. He said:
“At Sembcorp Energy UK, we have former apprentices who are now Shift Managers, Plant Engineers and Operations Managers – all responsible for managing millions of pounds’ worth of energy-generating equipment delivering electricity, steam and other vital utilities and services to our customers. It is also an absolute given that we need to have competent and qualified people with strong operational and technical abilities. Apprenticeship programmes are one of our most important aspects within our wider training programme.”
At Sembcorp Energy UK, we believe apprentices are vital to the future of the industry and we look forward to supporting flourishing careers for years to come.