ScottishPower is excited to announce the launch of their 2022/2023 Returner Programme
The Programme provides ALL candidates who have taken a career break of 12 months or more with opportunities to re-enter the STEM industry, the programme helps applicants refresh their existing skills and knowledge while building their confidence in a working environment through a structured pathway.
Meet our Returners from 2022 that secured a permanent role through our Returner Programme
Darren Nicol, Data Scientist, Marketing & Insights
My background is really quite varied, but as the saying goes, not all that wander are lost. I have worked on the oil rigs in the North Sea, worked on water projects in the Outback of Australia and volunteered in orphanages in the townships of South Africa. Where amazing experiences it did ultimately lead to a cross roads mid-career, with a mixed bag of experiences and skills and the challenging question of what do I want to do now? I knew I had engineering skills so set off to learn how to code. I undertook an MSc in Fintech and a coding bootcamp, as this came to an end I started to job hunt. I used the United Nations sustainability goals as a framework as who I’d like to work for, renewable clean energy, inclusive and decent work being the main three. It wasn’t easy, middle aged career changer aren’t usually the top of the list when it comes to candidates and it would have been easier just to take a job, any job! But I stuck at it and got introduced to Scottish Power’s returners program through a fellow volunteer at the Code Your Future organisation. It was the ideal fit company and program wise. The returners program gave me the opportunity to gain hands on experience in a supportive environment with periodic check in’s to keep us on track. The Marketing & Insights Data team have also been tremendously supportive, they are a talented bunch from which I can learn and there is a decent amount of drive to innovate mixed with good camaraderie, what more could I ask for! I moved over to full time employment in August and I couldn’t be happier!
Christopher Pinkham, Transmission Operations Engineer (Cables), SPEN Cambuslang.
I joined Scottish Power’s Returners Programme in March 2022, with my time spent split between the Substation and Cable branches of the Transmission Operations department. After 4 months I was I was offered a permanent full-time position within the Transmission Energy Network Business.
From the very start of my Scottish Power journey, the onboarding process was extremely smooth and supportive between HR, the assignment of my mentor, and the relationship built with my new line manager.
I feel that being given the opportunity to work in Glasgow with Scottish Power is an exciting new chapter of my life, for me to continue to grow and develop in a field which I enjoy working in. The role has already exposed me to new aspects within the organisational including field work and environmental impact considerations. The opportunities available within Scottish Power are endless depending of which way I choose to go. I feel privileged and passionate to work for an organisation which can contribute and make a positive difference to global climate change for future generations.
Prior to relocating, I was a Piping Materials Engineer for Wood PLC in Berkshire for over 8 years, before being made redundant in January 2021.