Member Article

Smart metering offering Brits the chance to retrain in a prosperous career

A Government initiative to install over 50 million smart meters by 2020 has resulted in thousands of job opportunities available for those looking for a stable, well-paid career.

Estimates have shown that around 6,500 more smart meter engineers are needed to install all the meters and meet the target, offering a chance for Brits to train up in smart metering and quickly secure a job.

A young dad from Sheffield has become one of the latest people to take advantage of this career opportunity.

26-year-old Sam Canavan has secured a job with leading security services company Utility Services, the UK’s largest multi-utility metering services company, just days after completing a five-week smart metering dual metering course.

Sam, who has a one-year-old son, heard about the opportunities from a family member who worked in the energy industry and signed up to the smart metering course with ECTA Training, based in Stockport.

During the course Sam learnt how to install both gas and electric meters and completed a work placement with G4S, before taking the exams needed to qualify.

Upon completing the course, Sam was immediately offered employment as a smart meter engineer with G4S and as part of the package was offered a generous starting salary, van, fuel card and work tools.

Undertaking a smart metering course does not require any prior industry experience, and newly qualified engineers can expect to earn between £16k and £40k per year. Many employers offer other benefits such as Sharesave schemes and generous pensions.

Sam said: “I previously worked as a fitness manager in a gym, but after my son was born I needed a career that would offer us a more stable and secure future. After hearing about the benefits of a smart metering career, I decided to book on to a smart metering course.

“For anyone looking for a career change, I would definitely recommend considering a smart metering course as it’s a very rewarding career, and with the thousands of jobs available, it’s a easy to secure a position quickly.

Kerry-Anne Berry, director at ECTA Training, said: “To have a chance of reaching the Government’s 2020 target, the UK will need thousands more engineers to install meters. The energy companies we work with are therefore desperate for new recruits, so there’s never been a better time to train up in smart metering.

“There is also a lot of scope for career progression so it is a great route for someone looking to get their foot on the career ladder.”

For more information on the smart meter rollout and the courses ECTA Training provides, please visit http://www.ectatraining.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula Hutchinson .