Important role for SSE’S Perth training centre

DEVELOPMENT: Business needs drive school’s training programmes

SSE’S training centre in Perth plays a crucial role in preparing the talent of tomorrow.

The school in Inveralmond Industrial Estate has been an important part of the energy giant’s presence in the area since it opened in July 2009.

As well as developing the company’s apprentices, it is responsible for the delivery of safety, technical and management training to SSE’S more experienced employees.

The training centre also takes responsibility for assessing contractors SSE works with to make sure they operate at its high safety standards.

Mark Hill, who is one of around 50 people working in the school on a full-time basis, said: “We’re responsible for delivering training on anything the business needs – ranging from company inductions all the way up to senior management training.

“We have our own equipment in the back yard which lets our trainees practice climbing transmission poles and towers in a safe environment, but we also provide managers with crucial mental health training and leadership skills.

“We ensure anyone who works for SSE does it to the highest standard.”

The business employs 19,000 and there is a constant flow of employees taking part in safety, technical or management training.

Mark added: “The centre is busy throughout the whole year, but there is definitely a gear shift to support two main periods when the centre is extremely busy.

“The first is the planned annual apprentice induction, where all new apprentices are seamlessly inducted into SSE over a week of intensive safety training.

“The second step-up period is to assist with any emergency authorisation training the business areas require to support winter storm conditions.

“This can mean that trainers will leave Perth and deliver training where and when the business requires it.”