A Lee apprentice has started a career in the electricity industry with UK Power Networks.

Brendon Steel, who is 21, will be trained in traditional skills that maintain, repair and build electricity networks which help deliver power to 8.3 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England to ensure safe and reliable power supplies.

He is among 21 apprentices starting this year who will also play a key role in the UK’s transition to Net Zero, as the company helps to enable low carbon technologies for local communities, including electric transport and heating.

All the trainees will spend three years completing the foundation apprenticeship specialising in one of three traditional crafts as electrical linespeople, fitters or jointers (like Brendon) learning how to safely repair, maintain and connect overhead lines, substations or underground cables.

Brendon is a former student of Thomas Tallis School, Kidbrooke who will be following in the footsteps of his dad, Kurt Steel, also a cable jointer in the firm.

Brendon said: “I was over the moon when I got the call to say I’d gained a place on the apprenticeship programme. Cable jointing is a good trade and it’s an industry that will always be around so there will always be work for me.

“Once I’m qualified, if there is a problem on an underground electricity cable, I will be working to restore supplies to people’s homes. Electricity is important for lights, heating, television, and many other reasons. I will be there to fix the problem and keep the lights on.

“This is a good company to stay with and I want to progress in this business.”

Charlie Aston, engineering trainee manager at UK Power Networks, said: “This is a time of great change in the electricity industry and the apprentices will learn to play a key role in maintaining reliable electricity supplies. The future is bright for these new recruits and if they perform well, they can look forward to a secure future and excellent working conditions.

“Once they are fully trained, they will keep power flowing to our communities, provide new connections, upgrade electricity substations and carry out essential electrical maintenance. We refer to them ‘keeping the lights on’, but these trainees will do much more than that as our essential networks power heating, lighting, the internet and Electric Vehicles.”

The first five months of their training is at Bridgwater and Taunton College in Somerset where they will complete a City and Guilds qualification in Electrical Power Engineering. This is the technical qualification required to achieve the Level 3 Power Networks Craftsperson Apprenticeship. The practical element of the apprenticeship will be completed at the company’s dedicated training centres in Suffolk and Kent coupled with on-the-job training with experienced field staff, putting new skills into practice under personal supervision.

Brendon will complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as part of his training, fostering a spirit of teamwork and resilience. Since 2016 all foundation apprentices who join UK Power Networks have taken part in the programme.

Following the latest Ofsted monitoring visit the company’s training programme continues to be placed in the top 3% of employer training providers.

UK Power Networks is ranked number one in the global Smart Grid Index, number six in the UK’s Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, and a ‘Platinum’ Investor in People.