Gas apprentices take pipeline to new careers

16 young people are celebrating after engineering a new career with the north of England’s gas pipeline owner.

700 people applied to the Northern Gas Networks 2011 apprentice scheme with only the cream of the crop going forward to win a place on the four year training programme.

The apprentices, aged between 16 and 29 will graduate to become first call operatives – the networks’ front-line responders to gas leaks reported by the public to the national gas emergency number - 0800 111 999.

The gas distributor employs more than 1,000 people across the north and is responsible for ensuring a safe and reliable supply of gas to 2.6 million customers throughout the North East, northern Cumbria and most of Yorkshire.

Northern Gas Networks has recruited apprentices every year since 2005, with only one exception, to ensure it continues to have well-qualified people coming-up through the business with many apprentices progressing to take up managerial posts.

Customer Operations Director, John Suddes, who joined the business as an apprentice in 1979 said: "In the gas industry we have always viewed apprenticeships as a first-class way to start a career and our on-going recruitment programme is testament to that. We are proud to offer 16 people the opportunity to train for a career with us."

The four year apprenticeships combine college with on the job training which leads to an NVQ with a guaranteed job on successful completion.

New recruits will be based at one of the company’s depots in Carlisle, Hull, Scarborough, Heckmondwike, Leeds or Middlesbrough.

Northern Gas Networks’ apprentice programme and commitment to training young people is all the more important in light of recent figures on youth unemployment reaching just over one million for the first time since records began in 1992.

John continued: "Our company is founded on its people and their expert knowledge so it’s vital that we continue to bring new blood into the business - investing in their future and ours.

Who’s who - Class of 2011

LEEDS

Jonny Wilkinson, 23-years-old, from Crossgates, Leeds. Recently returned from backpacking in Asia and a trek to Everest base camp. He said: This apprenticeship will lead to a career I can be proud of, I feel really lucky to have won a place.”

Lewis Jones, 22-years-old, from Rothwell, Leeds. Lewis is a former joiner and sales assistant who was a cross country champion in Leeds as a child. He said: "I felt like I was stuck in a rut until this opportunity came along. I'm looking forward to the challenge and excitement that this career will bring and

Daniel McDermott, 19 -years-old from Kirkstall, Leeds. Daniel said: I knew I didn’t want to pursue an academic path but I did want to continue my education so the apprentice route was my first choice, its a great opportunity and I look forward to the challenge it presents.

HARROGATE

Chris Langley, 20-years-old from Harrogate. Chris enjoys football and cricket and worked as a chef after completing his A levels. He said: "I decided to apply as I thought it was a great career opportunity with good prospects and I am really keen to develop myself and do well.”

FEATHERSTONE

Stuart Hardaker,26-years-old, from Featherstone. Stuart is married with two children and plays cricket for Featherstone Town. He said: "This is a great opportunity for me and my family, it’s a job with prospects and that can be hard to find these days.”

BEVERLEY

Ben Gill – 22-years-old, from Beverley. Ben has been in the Nordic Ski RLC Championships (2009 and 2011). He is also part of the TA and was a driver in Afghanistan between March and September 2010 in the Royal Logistic Corp, the truck he was in was blown up by an IED. Ben said: "I’ve seen and done a lot already in life but I still view this apprenticeship as an exciting challenge and a way for me to gain valuable skills that I will hopefully be able to use throughout my career in the gas industry.”

SCARBOROUGH

Jaxon Tite, 24-years-old, from Scarborough. Jaxon is a father of one and prior to applying for an apprenticeship spent a year in New Zealand playing rugby for a local team. He said: "This is a great opportunity for me and my family. It’s a career that combines security with a challenging and rewarding experience."

Charlie Burr, 19-years-old, from Scarborough, Charlie said: "I wanted a career with prospects and this fits the bill perfectly."

SELBY

Sam Whiteley, 20-years-old, from Selby. Sam has been a customer service advisor at Santander and is also a qualified ski instructor. Sam said: "The gas business a fast-moving industry where new technology and better ways of working are always coming to the fore, I am excited by the industry and looking forward to working in it.”

BRADFORD and KEIGHLEY

Jordan Haresign, 17-years-old, from Baildon in Bradford, is the youngest of this year’s recruits and recently left Titus Salt School, Jordan said: "This isn’t just a job to me, it’s the first step in a career and I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can over the four year programme.”

Ben Loker, 26-years-old, from Sutton near Keighley. Ben is a former kitchen and bathroom salesman and spent two years as a special constable with North Yorkshire Police based in Skipton. Ben said: "I wanted a change and was looking for something that would give me variety and a challenge so this is perfect. The role is focused on gas safety but there‘s lots of interaction with customers too and a real emphasis on good customer service so it’ll give me the variety I’m looking for.

HUDDERSFIELD

Reece Lupton, 17-years-old, from Quarmby in Huddersfield. Reece left Royds Hall High School with five GCSE's along with NVQ Level 2 in Spanish. Reece said: "I left school with good grades and although I knew university wasn’t for me, I did want a good career - just not sat behind a desk! I wanted a career where I could gain skills and get a qualifications while learning a trade so this is perfect."

SHIREMOOR

Ben Robson, 24-years-old, Shiremoor, North Shields. Ben used to work as a doorman in Newcastle and has a three-year-old son called Finlay. Ben said: "I wanted a job that would be challenging and worthwhile as well as providing me and my family with some stability so when I heard I’d got the apprenticeship I was over the moon.”

GATESHEAD
Michael Kane, 24-years-old, from Wickham near Gateshead. Michael recently completed the Great North Bike Ride to raise money for muscular dystrophy. Michael said: "This is a great opportunity to work for a company with a strong reputation in safety and customer care and I look forward to contributing to its on-going success.”

SALTBURN-ON-SEA

Joe Wicks, 19-years-old from Loftus. Joe is learning to fly and has more than 30 hours under his belt already, he even flew solo before he learned to drive a car. He’s been in the Air Cadets for four years as a Flight Sergeant. Joe said: "I enjoy working with the public and that is an important part of what we do. Good customer service is important to Northern Gas Networks as is ensuring a safe and reliable network. I look forward to learning about the industry and finding my place within it.”

MIDDLESBROUGH

James Birch, 29-years-old, James is the eldest of this year’s recruits and has worked in construction as well as spending 10 years working as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic. James said: "I was attracted to this because of the high-level of training on offer, it gives me the chance to learn new skills and develop myself, ultimately I’d like to progress to a management role but am taking it one step at a time.”

Photo: Left to right: Gordon Thompson (Customer Operations Area Manager), Peter Christie (Head of Health Safety and Environment), Jonnie Wilkinson, Michael Kane, Daniel McDermott, Reece Lupton, Charlie Burr, Jordan Haresign, Lewis Jones, Jackson Tite, Ben Loker, James Birch, Joe Wicks, Ben Robson, Ben Gill, Sam Whiteley, Staurt Hardacre, Susan Wareham (Head of Human Resources), John Suddes (Customer Operations Director).