Students can now virtually experience the role of a maintenance technician at the Cruachan power station through a new interactive simulation launched by Drax. The digital tool allows users to ‘see what it takes to be an electrical and instrumentation (E&I) technician in the power station’s Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Team, responding to a simulated machinery emergency and diagnosing a system fault in a real-world scenario.’  

The virtual experience navigates technical tasks required to maintain the 440 MW pumped storage hydro facility. This initiative aims to inspire interest in STEM careers by providing a realistic look at renewable energy operations located 1 km underground.

Lisa Marriott, Early Careers and Development Manager at Drax, said: ‘This new simulation gives young people the chance to experience what it is really like to work in the power sector, while building the skills and confidence that will support their future careers in sustainable energy.’

New green skills training facility to open in Wiltshire

Wiltshire College and University Centre is set to launch a new £3.5mn Green Skills Centre at its Trowbridge campus to train the next generation of low-carbon installers. Renewable energy company and services provider Good Energy has partnered. It said that the facility provides hands‑on training in the installation and maintenance of renewable technologies including solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage and smart home energy systems.

Iain Hatt, Principal and Chief Executive of Wiltshire College and University Centre, said: ‘Our Green Skills Innovation Centre is designed to help employers understand what is possible with today’s renewable technologies and to provide the skilled workforce required to deliver it.’

The college transformed a 100-year-old former home at Lackham into the Eco House to act as a showcase for renewable technologies.  

Hatt added that project was done with electrical utility Good Energy, which he said has been ‘invaluable in ensuring it reflects real industry needs. Together, we will help students and employers gain the confidence and capability to seize the opportunities of the green transition.’

Strategic partnership formed between ScottishPower and the University of Glasgow

To the north, ScottishPower has announced a new partnership between its distribution arm, Scottish Power Energy Networks, and the University of Glasgow, to establish a cyber defence laboratory with the aim to fund PhD and graduate apprenticeship programmes and develop data, cyber, digital and AI skills needed to deliver a resilient net zero electricity system.

Meanwhile, ScottishPower is receiving a record-breaking number of applications for its 2026 energy apprenticeship programme. The green energy company says it has received more than 6,000 applications for the 150 roles on offer across its businesses – including SP Energy Networks and SP Electricity North West – and that the level of interest is a 25% increase on 2025.

Centrica, X-energy and Hartlepool College target nuclear skills

Finally, utility Centrica, and nuclear reactor and fuel designer X-energy, are partnering with Hartlepool College of Further Education to establish a new Nuclear and Electrical Trades Academy. The Academy includes a specific focus on attracting a more diverse workforce into the nuclear industry. Centrica stated that the partnership will provide ‘young people with the skills, confidence and pathways to build their futures in a sector that will support Britain for decades to come’.  

Chris O'Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, said: ‘We’ve got big ambitions for Hartlepool – not just to host new nuclear technology, but to become one of the UK’s leading centres for clean energy skills and training. That means real opportunities, real investment, and long‑term careers for local people as the town leads the next chapter of the UK’s energy story.’