Centrica pushes for more women as it recruits 1,000 apprentices

02 February 2021

Our people

Bieneosa Ebite

Centrica is set to recruit 1,000 apprentices over the next two years, with the ambition that 50 per cent are women. Once qualified apprentices will become Smart Energy Experts, installing smart meters and providing energy efficiency advice to customers, with opportunities to upskill in other areas.

"We will create 1,000 new apprentice roles by the end of next year. These jobs will help to deliver net zero; these are the jobs of the future."

Chris O'Shea, CEO Centrica

With women only making up 8 per cent of Centrica’s field workforce, the company is acutely aware that it must improve gender diversity and better reflect the customers it serves. To help boost interest from female applicants, the company has launched a targeted recruitment campaign that includes virtual careers events and engaging with women seeking a career change due to Covid. It has also signed up to the Tech She Can Charter, a commitment by organisations to increase women working in technology roles. Centrica has already noted a significant increase in the number of applications from women.

With the need to reach net zero by 2050, Smart Energy Experts will play an important role in Centrica’s contribution to the green homes revolution. Many Smart Energy Experts have already been upskilled to fit EV charging points, to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, and heat pumps, one of the solutions needed to decarbonise homes.

Apprentices will receive technical skills training and the knowledge they need for the job at one of the company’s award-winning academies in Dartford, Hamilton and Leicester.

"I want to see more women working in technical and engineering roles at Centrica and fully support the company’s ambition for 50 per cent of apprenticeship roles to be filled by women. Even though these jobs have traditionally been male-dominated, this should not deter women. We need you and our customers need you, so please do apply."

Jade Rimmer, Colleague Enablement Manager and Centrica Women’s Network Field Chapter leader

NOTES

About Centrica:

Centrica is a leading international energy services and solutions provider, founded on a 200-year heritage of serving people. We serve around 10 million customers across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe through brands such as British Gas, supported by around 9,000 highly trained engineers and technicians. We are focused on satisfying the changing needs of our customers, enabling them to transition to a lower carbon future. Our aim is to reduce emissions in line with the Paris climate goals by 2030 and develop a path to net zero by 2050.