Apprentice Electrical Fitter with Scottish Power
27 year old Terry Cochrane from Falkirk started his Modern Apprenticeship at Scottish Power within the Energy Networks Division in August 2006.
Energy & Utility Skills asked Terry a range of questions about how he got into the industry and what he likes the most and least about his job - here is what he had to say:
Educational Backgroud
I left school with 8 Standards and 2 Highers and over the next few years I achieved a HNC in Building Control, a HNC in Electrical Engineering and two management roles in the automotive industry.
What attracted you to the electricity industry?
The job security of this industry really appealed to me. We are always going to need electricity in one form or another. Scottish Power is a large employer with an excellent reputation for investing in the training and career of employees.
A Typical Day
All Apprentices begin with an induction course. After that point, the day to day activities will vary depending on the point you are at in the programme and the discipline in which you specialise.
I have chosen to be a Fitter and will be working on substations across Scotland. I will be learning what each type of transformer is for and the maintenance required. I will spend 50% of my time in the first year in 'off-the-job' training. In the second and third year I will spend most of the time learning and developing skills on-the-job, but will still return to the dedicated training centre at certain points.
I hope to continue my development at Scottish Power, ideally to engineering status as Scottish Power offer a fantastic programme for people that want to continue their learning and development.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
I love the feeling of being part of something. All the other jobs I have had, including management positions, have never made me feel quite as involved in a team as I do here.
What do you like least about the job?
The residential first year does involve being away from family and friends but the team building is excellent.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the electricity industry?
It doesn't matter if you know nothing about the electricity industry - that's why Modern Apprenticeship's are there. Their entire purpose is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to do the job. I never knew there was so much behind switching your TV on. What goes on in the background is phenomenal!
