Centrica has unveiled plans for a programme to train up to 500 ex-military personnel in engineering roles to help the company reach its net zero target by 2045.
The British Gas owner is working alongside consultancy Matero, led by former Army colonel Stuart Tootal, to design and build the programme, which hopes to attract “significant numbers of service leavers” by the end of next year.
An initial intake of 12 former military personnel have begun their 42-week training to become gas engineers. This first intake, Centrica said, should provide a template recruiting programme which can be scaled up later in the year.
Following the Matero template, the ex-forces programme will be run in-house and will have an initial emphasis on recruiting and training gas engineers.
Centrica added that it is “particularly keen” to attract women into the programme, in line with its previously stated ambition that half of those starting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles are women.
In addition to boiler maintenance and repair, the company’s 7,000-strong field force works across electric vehicle charge point installations, smart meters, heat pumps and solar and battery storage projects.
Greg McKenna, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Supporting our customers to get to net zero is at the forefront of our plans, but we need the skilled workforce to deliver at the scale and pace necessary.
“The market for recruiting ex-forces has become increasingly competitive, but we plan to use our extensive heritage of delivering world-class training alongside dedicated support to bring on board the talent required to deliver on our net zero plans.”
Matero founder Stuart Tootal said: “Centrica offers an attractive package to service leavers, however, this will be enhanced by providing a career transition pathway to support interested service leavers on every step of their new career journey.
“By providing mentors, called ‘oppos’, we hope to make the transition to civilian life that little bit easier by supporting with interview preparation, professional training, membership in the Centrica Ex-Forces Network and physical and mental health support.”