Opportunities at RWE npower

The energy industry faces a number of challenges in the future and ensuring we have people with the right skills and attitude to drive and fulfill our business strategy is paramount to our success. We consistently invest in the attraction and retention of the wide variety of experience and expertise we need for our complex business. We continually develop and invest in our employees to respond to the evolving market conditions, as well as identifying and preparing our future leaders for the challenges ahead.

As a business we are committed to guiding and facilitating the development of our people. We offer a range of tailored development opportunities, from the Graduate Development scheme and general business skills to Senior Management and high potential programmes. We also design and deliver solutions such as development centres, coaching, 360° feedback and self-development tools, to assist our managers and their people in constructing their personal development plans.

Our Apprenticeship programme

Our apprenticeships are designed to discover and develop the craftspeople of tomorrow. At the end of December 2011, there were 36 apprentices on the scheme.

The scheme combines extensive hands-on experience in the workplace with academic study and a substantial programme of technical training courses. At the end of scheme, our apprentices have a BTEC National Certificate in engineering and maintenance skills and NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) at levels 2 and 3.

Our Power Technician Trainee scheme

The Power Technician Trainee scheme recruits and develops the technicians and engineers of the future. The programme is now in its second year and combines academic study and the development of engineering skills with training courses and individual development at our power stations.

The scheme is managed in cooperation with Loughborough College. Successful participants will complete their four-year training programme with an HNC in Operations Engineering and become EngTech members of an appropriate institute. There are currently 21 trainees on the programme and we will be looking to recruit again in 2012.

This unique scheme will provide the company with a mixture of mechanical, electrical, control and instrumentation and operations technicians who will support the operation and maintenance of our power stations.

Our Graduate scheme

Our Graduate scheme recruits and develops potential leaders and other talented people who will help to ensure the future success of our business. Our graduates can join schemes in a range of areas including engineering, commercial and risk, HR, finance, IT, marketing, sales, customer operations or energy services.

They gain a wide-ranging experience across our business by taking on roles and responsibilities in a number or placements. This is combined with relevant technical training and intensive personal development, enabling them to take on responsibility from an early stage.

We currently have 48 graduates on our Graduate Training scheme, including the 27 who started in September 2011, and plan to recruit a further 35 in 2012.