Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop today met with the first 50 young people taking part in a new apprenticeship in home energy efficiency.

The Modern Apprenticeship scheme is part of a Scottish Government funded partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy.

More than 100 places are being funded by the Scottish Government to develop specific skills in customer service and energy efficiency for Scottish and Southern Energy, to enable them to build a framework of energy professionals to support the company's long term ability to contribute to energy efficiency goals.

Visiting the Scottish and Southern office in Cumbernauld, Ms Hyslop said: "In these difficult times for families and businesses, this programme allows Scottish and Southern Energy to expand its work in helping customers to cut bills and ultimately reduce emissions.


"The Scottish Parliament has already passed the Scottish Government's world-leading climate change legislation, and this new programme of apprenticeships is yet another illustration of the positive contribution Scotland can make to meeting global challenges."

Jim McPhillimy, Scottish and Southern Energy Group Services Director said: "SSE is delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver home energy apprenticeships and to deploy a training programme to equip people with the skills and attitudes that can secure a sustainable energy future.

"Today we welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our new customer service operation in Cumbernauld to meet some of the young people who are part of our Home Energy Apprenticeships Programme. Energy efficiency has always been sensible; now it is imperative and all energy businesses need to treat it as core business and invest in the skills to deliver it."

SSE currently employs thousands of people in customer service and over 19,000 people across the UK.

(GK/BMcc)