Member Article

Vital Energi invests in a sustainable future with 20 new ‘green’ apprenticeships

Vital Energi today marked a milestone in its investment in the future of decarbonisation, with the announcement of plans to recruit 20 new apprentices in 2021. The company is committed to developing the key industry skills needed to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce of the future, as well as helping tackle the post-Covid economic recovery across the UK.

The program will support the wider goals set out by the UK Government’s 10 point green recovery plan to create 250,000 clean energy jobs in the industry. Vital Energi specialises in low/zero carbon energy generation and heat networks which will play an increasingly important role in meeting the UK’s net zero objectives. Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, recently called for up to £1billion of investment in the industry by 2030. As part of the ambitious Vital Energi Training Centre and its well established apprentice programme, the company has already employed its first Building Services Design Technician apprentice, Alex Spencer, under the new initiative. The creation of this new role will allow Vital Energi to meet growing demand from new and existing clients by linking green ambition with new talent.

Alex is studying through Liverpool City College and has been recruited locally to work on local projects, creating local jobs and supporting the local community. One of the projects Alex is working on is Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters as part of a £5 billion regeneration project to transform the city’s northern docks. The project will provide heat both for homes and commercial space connected to Peel L&P’s Mersey Heat district heat network, with the potential for 9,000 homes to benefit from the software over the coming years.

Alex Spencer, Vital Energi’s newest recruit said: “I wanted to be a part of a community that makes the planet a greener place. I am excited to be joining the company at such a pivotal time for the whole world as we look for new solutions to tackle climate change. Its amazing reputation, makes Vital Energi a great place to learn the skills I need for a successful career in clean energy.”

Vital Energi is looking to recruit apprentices to all areas of the business, site and office based, from design engineers through to project delivery engineers and operational engineers as well as support service opportunities.

Training of recruits will be done through a blended system of online and classroom learning at the company’s new £2m state-of-the-art training academy. Currently training is delivered online during the national lockdown.

Vital Energi’s training academy aims to be a ‘centre for excellence’ and has been designed to provide hands-on product training as well integrating with courses at other universities and colleges with practical and theoretical education.

The company has purpose-built two district heating demonstration trenches which will be used to educate students and existing employees about techniques such as jointing and welding pipes, insulation processes and moisture control. Training on buried underground services and smart end user products including heat interface units, metering and billing electronic platforms is available in the centre where all products are displayed for demonstration and have dedicated areas for testing new products.

The facility will also benefit Vital Energi’s existing employees by providing engineers and designers with skills development opportunities and state-of-the-art collaboration areas.

Rob Callaghan, Vital Energi’s Managing Director London & South, said: “There can be no denying that the last 12 months have been immensely challenging for everyone. Announcing the creation of these roles during National Apprenticeship Week will be a welcome boost to many local communities, young people and education centres throughout the UK.

“As we begin to build the sustainable workforce of the future, our apprenticeships are a fantastic way for both school leavers and graduates to forge exciting new career paths in clean energy. The bespoke skills and experiences we can offer will be vital to meeting growing demand for low carbon technologies and helping local authorities meet their net zero targets.”

Colleges and universities are invited to collaborate with Vital Energi to develop further opportunities for students, graduates and the community.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gordon Coates .