Darren Elsom
As National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) gets under way, energy company SGN is reaffirming its ambition to developing the next generation of highly skilled engineers who will help deliver a secure and decarbonised gas network for the future.
Throughout this week, it will also celebrate the vital contribution apprentices make to the UK’s energy system.
It is sharing stories from across the business that highlight the passion and talent of the company’s emerging workforce, as well as its commitment to skills, safety and innovation.
The initiative comes several weeks after SGN opened a new National Training Centre for Scotland, which is providing a modern and dedicated space for technical, practical and accessible training.
The centre will play a pivotal role in equipping apprentices and engineers with the skills needed to support the UK’s evolving energy landscape, including the transition to low carbon technologies.
Speaking in a video for NAW, in which he reflects on his own experience as an apprentice, Chief Operating Officer Darren Elsom said: “We've got a new national training centre in Scotland that’s providing real hands-on experience from our trainers, who are SGN people. They’ve got 30-40 years’ experience and they are passing that onto new apprentices joining the industry. They are getting the very best training before they are then out on the patch delivering for our customers.”
SGN works closely with academic partners including East Sussex College Group and Fife College to deliver high quality, comprehensive training programmes. These partnerships also ensure apprentices receive hands on experience, industry leading instruction and a clear pathway into long term engineering careers.
Between 2026-2031, SGN plans to recruit and train more than 50 apprentices each year as part of its strategy to strengthen the sector’s skills base and deliver even greater value to customers.
Last year, it secured gold membership of a prestigious scheme that recognises workforce development.
The accreditation, as part of The 5% Club’s highly respected 2025-26 Employer Audit Scheme, came just 12 months after joining, recognising a dedication to nurturing talent through ‘earn and learn’ opportunities. These include apprenticeships, graduate programmes and traineeships.
We've got a new national training centre in Scotland that’s providing real hands-on experience from our trainers, who are SGN people. They’ve got 30-40 years’ experience and they are passing that onto new apprentices joining the industry. They are getting the very best training before they are then out on the patch delivering for our customers.
