A POWER network operator is celebrating its budding engineers to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

Electricity North West’s apprenticeship scheme is now in its seventh year, and has welcomed more than 100 apprentices looking to develop careers in the electricity industry.

Steve Johnson, chief executive at Electricity North West, said: “We have a responsibility to the next generation to create opportunities, and also to our customers across the North West to keep their lights on for years to come.

“I started my career as a trainee engineer, joining the industry straight from school, so I understand the importance of apprenticeship schemes, and the endless prospects they can provide.

“It is an exciting time to be an apprentice with Electricity North West as we approach the final year of our five-year £1.4bn investment plan, and plan for another £2bn of investment in the region up to 2023. Our apprentices are the ones who will help us deliver that.”

The company is searching for new apprentices for its 2014 apprenticeship scheme.

The deadline for applications for the three-year programme is Friday. For more information, visit enwljobs.co. uk/apprentices