Could you join Power Academy?

The Power Academy is an important recruitment vehicle for the power industry, we take electrical engineering undergraduates from a number of universities during their summer recess. This is the eleventh year of the Power Academy Scheme and this summer 11 new Power Academy undergraduates have joined the business to experience what it’s like to work in the engineering industry.

21 Year old Euan McGill is from Glasgow and is studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Strathclyde University. This is his third and final year working with us on the Power Academy scheme. He spoke about his time with the company.

Euan McGill during the Power Academy team building event.

Q: Why join Power Academy?

A: It provides you with valuable work experience, a unique insight into key areas of the engineering sector and helps you understand what challenges are likely to pose the sector in the future. The experience has really given me some careers focus and refined my academic interests through knowledge of the industry.

Q: What have you been doing during your time as a Power Academy student?

A: My time has been varied and given me a real appreciation of the level and complexity of activity that is necessary to manage an electricity distribution network. I spent the first year working with network services teams in Northampton, gaining an understanding of the operational network and what is involved maintaining and upgrading the electricity network, from handling faults to new electricity connections. My second year was spent working in Major Projects, which involves planning large-scale network infrastructure developments. This year I have been working with the Future Networks team looking at alternative solutions to accommodate future electricity demand. I have produced a guide for developers to consider when applying for a generation connection. It has been extremely fulfilling to deliver a project from start to finish.

Q: How has the PA helped you with your personal development?

A: It has made me more confident, outgoing and less intimidated within the wider working environment.

Q: What support have you been given?

A: I am really grateful for both the time and effort colleagues at WPD have given me during my placements. Within both Major Projects and Network Services, staff were really helpful in taking me out to a range of different jobs, ensuring that I was learning interesting new things on each occasion. They were also extremely accommodating in offering to take me to and from site each day. Within Future networks, staff members have taken time out of their busy schedule to help share their wealth of knowledge.

Q: Why choose Western Power Distribution?

A: During Strathclyde scholarship fair I met an extremely enthusiastic existing WPD scholar who told me about the interesting things he had seen and the understanding he had gained. This encouraged me to apply to WPD and the experience has been great.

Q: What is your career ambition?

A: I have enjoyed working on the Future Networks side of the business as I feel there is so much still to learn and that even after a long career I would be learning every day. Although I plan on travelling to see family after graduation, should they be willing to have me back I would greatly enjoy working at WPD.

Power Academy students get together at WPD's Tipton Training Centre.