THE next generation of power station employees is being sought to help shape the energy industry of the future.

RWE Generation, the operators of the Didcot B Power Station that dominates the skyline of the South Oxfordshire town, has announced it is looking for new entrants onto its training programmes.

It wants 'enthusiastic' science, maths or engineering students to take up positions as engineering apprentices, including working on 'non destructive testing'.

The gas-fired power station, in operation since 1997, can produce enough electricity to meet the needs of one million homes.

It remains in operation after the closure and decommissioning, in 2013, of Didcot A Power Station, where a boiler house collapsed in 2016, killing four.

The site of the old A power station is still being cleaned up and is earmarked as a future housing and employment site.

Both power stations have a long history as an employer in the local area, bringing thousands of people to the town over nearly five decades.

RWE has said new apprentices would be joining a well-established scheme where previous incumbents have helped shape the energy market as we know it today.

The scheme was refreshed three years ago to reflect the fast-changing nature of the business in light of the challenges of climate change and the changing energy needs of the country.

Adrian Greenwood, the chair of entry schemes for RWE, said: “We are very proud of our engineering training programmes.

"Over the years they have been developed to support our modern fleet of power stations.

"This year we hope to find more inspired and enthusiastic recruits to join the RWE team.”

The Didcot apprenticeship programmes last four years, giving trainees the technical and practical skills required to work in power plants.

All apprentices will train ‘on the job’ and benefit from support from experienced power industry and training professionals.

They will study at a technical training facility and complete a BTEC National Certificate qualification before specialising in their third year in specialist mechanical, electrical or control and instrumentation routes.

Find out more at www.rweukjobs.com/entry-level-schemes/engineering