SSE has become one of the first major UK employers to support First Chance, a new programme designed to help more young people take their initial steps into employment.

The campaign, launched by the Young People and Work Review and chaired by former Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn, brings together employers from across the economy to widen access for those who face barriers to work.

SSE joins a cohort of founding supporters including Royal Mail, Greene King, Lloyds Banking Group and other leading employers, committing to expand entry points such as entry-level roles, apprenticeships, internships, work experience and mentoring.

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The initiative comes amid growing challenges for young people entering the labour market. Without intervention, the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) could exceed 1.25 million within five years.

Supporting early careers is already a longstanding part of SSE's approach to nurturing talent and investing in local communities.

Currently, around one in twenty people in SSE's workforce is aged 16–24, and the company offers more than 40 pathways into employment, including options for candidates without formal qualifications.

As SSE continues to invest in the energy infrastructure needed for Britain's future energy system, it is also investing in the skilled workforce required to build, operate and maintain it.