As part of our commitment to investing in engineers and leaders of the future, we have 160 people on apprenticeship courses and 335 people in total at early careers stage. With more apprentices due to join us this year, we’re taking a look for National Apprenticeship Week at how an apprenticeship can be just the start of a rewarding career.
Michael Barnes joined us 15 years ago as an apprentice and has worked his way up to his current role as Senior Maintenance Manager.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship with us?
I joined SGN in February 2010 as an Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Maintenance Apprentice, shortly after leaving school. I responded to an advert in my local newspaper and after attending an interview/assessment centre I joined the team. I was initially encouraged to apply by the combination of practical learning and academic studies coupled with the prospect of joining a large well-established engineering company.
Tell us about your apprenticeship – what do you remember about that time?
My apprenticeship consisted of a three-year programme that combined long periods away from home studying for qualifications alongside four to eight week blocks in the field, shadowing engineers in the team. The first year focused on health and safety training, gas industry-specific courses and basic engineering principles. Further into the programme, the training specialised into Electrical and Instrumentation engineering.
As a group of roughly 16 apprentices, my fondest memories are of the training blocks that involved staying away from home. As a group, we went from complete strangers during our induction week, to some lifelong friends and colleagues I still work with today.
What happened when you finished your apprenticeship?
Upon completing the apprenticeship and once fully qualified, I obtained authorisation to work on Electrical and Instrumentation Systems on SGN’s network. This enabled me to lead on maintenance activities, further expanding my learning and providing a sense of job satisfaction.
Sometime later, I applied for a further education programme with SGN. This programme enabled me to broaden the scope of my knowledge and led to positions in the Transmission Major Projects Department. This would not have been possible without the support and mentorship I received as part of this programme, something I will always be grateful for.
What do you do now?
I now work as a Senior Maintenance Manager within the Transmission Team (Maintenance South). We maintain and operate the southern and south east England Transmission networks, including high pressure pipelines, pressure reduction installations and SGN’s E&I systems. My apprenticeship provided a fundamental understanding of our Transmission Network and they are skills I still rely on in my current role today.
Why should someone consider doing an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships continue to provide a positive combination of practical and academic learning. The potential to earn while you learn and specialise in a field can provide a good footing for a future career.
Use your apprenticeship to build a foundation in your field. After completing it, keep learning and pursue opportunities, even if they seem challenging or something you would not usually go for. Apprenticeships prove your ability to learn practically and are a valuable trait for future management roles.
