Member News: OPITO – APTUS apprenticeship programme opens for applications

February 14, 2025
Member News: OPITO – APTUS apprenticeship programme opens for applications
  • APTUS is the country’s leading energy apprenticeship programme
  • Apprenticeship programme offers the opportunity to earn and learn in the energy sector
  • 95% of APTUS apprentices secure employment with their sponsor company

 Marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week, [10/02/2025] OPITO and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) welcome the next generation of energy sector talent from across Great Britain (GB) to apply to their respected APTUS apprenticeship programme.

Open to applicants from all over GB, the APTUS programme offers technical apprenticeships in four key disciplines: electrical maintenance, instrument and control maintenance, mechanical maintenance and process operations. Apprentices will learn how to operate, maintain and repair critical infrastructure required for secure and sustainable energy production.

Clean energy will drive an increase in jobs by 2030, in almost all global regions. To keep pace with the growing demand for skilled workers across existing and burgeoning energy sectors, education and upskilling must be upscaled[1]. With the aim of preparing apprentices to seamlessly enter or pivot within the industry, APTUS apprenticeships embed the skills and standards required by international energy employers to deliver technical expertise across the energy mix.

 Formerly called the Oil and Gas Technical Apprenticeship Programme (OGTAP), APTUS has been the country’s leading energy apprenticeship programme since 1999. With 17 participating energy industry employers, including bp, Shell, Petrofac, Semco Maritime and Bilfinger, and offering 300 apprenticeship places annually, 95% of APTUS apprentices secure employment with their sponsor company following completion of the programme.

 Ewen Hay, Director of Products and Services at OPITO, said: “As the energy industry continues to adapt and evolve, so must the workforce of the future. This is why we are proud to offer real-world, hands-on learning opportunities to apprentices from across Great Britain to equip them for an exciting and sustainable career in the energy industry.

“APTUS is widely supported across the energy industry, with £140 million invested to date and more than 2,000 apprenticeships completed since its inception. Offering unique onshore and offshore work experiences, innovative training and the chance to work with leading global energy companies while studying, APTUS apprenticeships are a proven and rewarding gateway route into the energy sector.”

Andrew Hockey, CEO at the ECITB, said: “APTUS is one of the new entrant programmes the ECITB supports to create a pipeline of new talent for industry. This apprenticeship offers an ideal pathway into a career in the engineering construction industry and teaches transferable skills that will enable apprentices to move between sectors as their careers develop.

“Encouraging new entrants into the industry and developing these transferable skills to create an agile and resilient workforce are essential for the industry to meet the skills challenges of the future.”

Steven Burns, Operations Manager at Petrofac, said: “At Petrofac, we are driven to deliver world-class results for our clients, and we do this by investing in the knowledge and capability of our organisation and personnel.

“We believe it is vital to play an integral role in developing and maintaining a skilled energy workforce. By blending theory and practical learning, the APTUS apprentices have the opportunity to align critical knowledge, skills and behaviours in a supported environment – providing them with the best possible start to their careers.”

 APTUS apprentices undertake 20 months in further education followed by two years on a relevant work experience placement. The four-year programme is open to all British residents over the age of 16 with four National 5s or GCSEs, including Maths and English.

Applications are open until Sunday, 16 March 2025, with the new cohort of apprentices beginning college in September.

 For more information on APTUS and how to apply, visit https://aptus-apprenticeship.uk

 

[1] https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/2be1e935-a2e5-4535-9524-6f2610efd23f/WorldEnergyEmployment2024.pdf

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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

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