UTILITY services firm G4S utility and outsourcing services has invested further in apprenticeships through Gateshead College to equip its workforce with the latest smart metering technology skills.

The move follows investment by the college to develop an intensive training programme specifically for G4S to replicate real-life smart meter installation techniques and test the skills of apprentices in electrical wiring and gas connection systems.

This will lead to them gaining an industry-recognised qualification, which can pave the way for a future career working in the energy and utilities sectors.

The college is the only provider in the North-East, and one of only four nationally, to offer tailormade smart meter training and will be working in partnership with G4S to deliver the apprenticeships.

Gateshead College has invested £50,000 in a purpose-built facility to deliver bespoke installation expertise and skills for G4S, which is looking to up-skill its workforce and is now putting the first group of six apprentices through training.

Hundreds more apprentices are expected to follow in the wake of a successful pilot scheme, including others from G4S, as the college looks to open up and further expand the scope of the training facility to other companies across the region that need to retrain or up-skill their workforce.

Josh Larsen, 20, from Thornaby, near Stockton, is among the first six apprentices on the pilot G4S programme and is in his fifth week of training at the college’s Academy. He said: “I’ve already learned so much about the utility industry and gained lots of new skills in the few weeks that I’ve been at college. It’s really interesting and it’s definitely where I see my future career.

“Prior to applying for the apprenticeship I was working at a supermarket and feel I’m now on track to a rewarding and sustainable career that is much better suited to me.

“G4S is a really good company to work for and I look forward to becoming qualified.”