SSEN Transmission has announced a major commitment to the future of Scotland’s energy workforce, pledging to create 600 ‘earn as you learn’ roles between now and 2030. The announcement was made at a special event at SSE’s Training Centre in Perth, attended by First Minister John Swinney and current SSEN Transmission graduates and trainees.
The initiative marks a significant investment in the next generation of talent powering the north of Scotland’s transmission network. SSEN Transmission is committed to having 5% of its workforce in ‘earn as you learn’ roles at any time, opening doors for young people across a range of disciplines including engineering, environmental science, and planning.
These roles will support early careers through increased recruitment for trainee programmes, summer placements, graduate schemes, and apprenticeships. The positions will be based across SSEN Transmission’s network area, including Wick, Elgin, Shetland, and Aberdeenshire—regions at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy revolution.
The company is also creating new opportunities for reskilling its existing workforce and those from other sectors, such as oil and gas, supporting its Just Transition strategy. This commitment is part of SSEN Transmission’s ambitious Pathway to 2030 programme, which involves investing at least £22 billion in electricity transmission projects. These projects will include new substations, subsea and underground cables, and overhead lines, unlocking Scotland’s clean power potential and delivering vital infrastructure for national energy security and clean power targets.
First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement, stating: “This investment from SSEN Transmission is great news for Scotland’s workforce, renewables industries, economy, and our green, clean future. Apprenticeships play a critical role in providing in-demand, lifelong skills. Since 2023-24, we have invested over £185 million annually in high-quality apprenticeships to meet the needs of employers, workforces, young people, and the Scottish economy.”
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Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, added: “We’re proud to be investing in the workforce of today and tomorrow that will help deliver a cleaner, more secure energy system. These earn as you learn roles are not just jobs—they’re pathways to purpose-driven, sustainable careers that will shape the energy landscape for generations to come.”
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Chair Frank Mitchell praised the initiative, highlighting that SSEN Transmission’s investment in infrastructure is also an investment in people, building a workforce that will bring lasting benefits to the north of Scotland’s economy.
