Opus Energy announces apprenticeship intake in partnership with Northampton College

March 6, 2013 - PRLog -- 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)

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.”

Ends


Notes to editors
Videos charting the progress of Opus Energy’s 2012 apprentices are available from: http://www.youtube.com/opusenergyltd
Attached photograph shows Annamarie Petsis Jones, Head of HR, Learning and Development at Opus Energy
Interviews with Annamarie Petsis Jones, Head of HR, Learning and Development at Opus Energy, are available upon request

For press enquiries, please contact:
Alexandra Dann
Marketing Executive
Opus Energy
T. 0845 218 2160
E. Alexandra.Dann@opusenergy.com

About Opus Energy

Opus Energy is the UK’s leading business energy supplier. The company was founded by Charlie Crossley Cooke in 2002 and now employs 450 people over its Northampton and Oxford-based offices.

Opus Energy supplies more than 150,000 business locations across the UK with power.  Customers include: White Stuff, Paperchase, Stagecoach, Pizza Hut and Virgin Media.

In addition to supplying energy, Opus Energy also purchases power from over 500 renewable generators in the UK which it then supplies to its customers.

The management team has a 50 per cent stake in the business, while GDF SUEZ holds 30 per cent and Telecom Plus Plc has 20 per cent.

For further information about Opus Energy, please visit www.opusenergy.com.