ScottishPower is encouraging students to apply for this year's Engineering Foundation Programme.

Some 50 places are available for the initiative, for those aged between 16 and 19 and who are enrolled on courses at Glasgow Clyde College (Cardonald Campus), Edinburgh College (Dalkeith Campus) and West Cheshire College.

The programme will combine study at college, with industry specific training at ScottishPower's training centres at Dealain House in Cumbernauld or Hoylake in Merseyside, the company has said.

Applicants must have an interest in engineering, and a minimum of two qualifications in Maths, English or Science at Intermediate Level 2 at Grade C or above (Scotland), or GCSE grade C (England & Wales) or equivalent qualifications. Additional benefits of the scheme include a £200-per month training allowance, provision of personal protective equipment, and all training provided is free of charge.


Sheila Duncan, HR Director at ScottishPower, commented: "We believe that the energy sector offers school leavers a variety of attractive opportunities, and the potential to foster a lifelong career in a highly-skilled environment.

"ScottishPower alone will be supporting 4,000 roles in the next decade, with many thousands more being created across our supply chain and in the wider industry. The Engineering Foundation Programme offers school leavers an opportunity to take their first steps on the road towards a full-time career, and to develop skills that will serve them well in any future career that they establish."

The closing date for applications is 30 May 2014.

The Engineering Foundation Programme is a full-time college course which runs between September 2014 and July 2015.

(JP/IT)