I joined National Grid at 16 as an apprentice. I was planning to do the normal school ‘conveyor belt’ thing – A-levels, a degree, maybe a Masters – before moving into a career. But then, a year before my GCSEs, I saw a week’s taster course with National Grid* advertised on our school intranet. It was free and a week off school – what was not to like!
National Grid Partners attended the recent event to see what opportunities might be next for utility businesses; here are three takeaways for entrepreneurs in the space.
In the last ten years, I’ve become alarmed by climate change and I want to help fix it. I split my working hours between National Grid and my own not-for-profit business, Open Climate Fix. Two days a week I’m part of the company’s Electricity System Operator Labs team.
My family has strong connections with the RAF and I was planning to follow in my father’s footsteps and join up as a mechanical engineer. But then I spent my undergraduate industry year working for National Grid and, while it broke my dad’s heart a little, my passion was sparked!
The UK will need to recruit hundreds of thousands of people into its energy sector if it is to meet its target to deliver net zero emissions by 2050. Research published by National Grid today reveals the industry will need to fill 400,000 jobs, bringing opportunities for skilled tradespeople, engineers and other specialists across every region of the country.
Our staff want to develop clean energy that makes people’s lives better. I really love that my work is helping transform the energy sector and that with incentives we can encourage positive results.
My current work focuses on a process known as carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS).
Have you driven an electric vehicle yet? Switching drivers to an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the most visible, exciting and essential steps in transforming the UK into a low-carbon economy.
My role is about providing knowledge and guidance, and making sustainability as regular a part of our work as health and safety or financial management.
