Opus Energy announces apprenticeship intake in partnership with Northampton College

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Northampton-based Opus Energy has announced it will be awarding ten new NVQ
Apprenticeship positions to local people in 2013, five of whom will start
working at the company during National Apprenticeship Week on 11th March.

The announcement follows the successful launch of Opus Energy’s
apprenticeship scheme last year, when 11 apprenticeship roles were awarded.
In order to fill the ten new positions, Opus Energy is working closely with
Northampton College to identify local, talented individuals looking to work
in the energy sector.

Annamarie Petsis Jones, Head of HR, Learning and Development at Opus Energy,
comments: “The majority of the apprentices that we took on last year were
young, unemployed local people. We have been bowled over by the success of
the scheme – not only has Opus Energy made such a positive impact on the
lives of the apprentices, but they have brought a lot to the company.”

The ten apprenticeship roles announced today will be filled during two
intakes scheduled for the year – five in March and a further five in
September – and will be awarded across two key roles within Opus Energy:

– Apprentice Customer Service Administrator: Diploma in Business
Administration (Level 2); and
– Apprentice Customer Service Advisor: Diploma in Customer Service (Level 2)

Each NVQ Diploma has been tailored to suit Opus Energy’s specific
requirements, with starting salaries double those of usual apprenticeship
rates. Opus Energy has also made a pledge to track the successful
candidates’ development closely and offer them the opportunity to move on to
an NVQ Level 3 upon completion of their apprenticeship. The progress of the
2012 apprentice intake is also being followed via a series of videos, which
are available from Opus Energy’s YouTube channel.

Simon Stewart, Head of Enterprise at Northampton College, added:
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of starting and building a career in
today’s world. We’re pleased that Opus Energy is a local employer who is
seeing apprenticeships as a strategic method of developing their business
over time.”

In addition to the NVQ Apprenticeship Scheme, Opus Energy has recently
introduced a Coaching and Mentoring Certificate to allow employees to share
knowledge and provide guidance to less experienced staff members, including
the new apprentices joining the company. Prospective mentors are nominated
by their line managers and are required to complete training in modules such
as ‘Inspiring Communication’ and ‘Coaching & Giving Feedback’. Upon
completion of the programme, they will be certified by Opus Energy.

Charlie Crossley Cooke, Managing Director, Opus Energy, said: “The
enthusiasm that the apprentices have delivered over the last year has been
outstanding. Their dedicated mentors have got almost as much out of the
scheme as the apprentices have done themselves. We encourage other companies
to get involved and set up their own apprenticeship schemes.”