The former Northfleet Technology College student said: "I'm going to be looking after electricity substations to keep electricity flowing to the high speed railway line. We have a responsibility to make sure the electricity gets to where it needs to be.

"My brother has just finished his apprenticeship with the company and works as an overhead linesman in Strood. I was happy to get the job because this is a good company to work for, with good career prospects, where everything is done by the book from a health and safety perspective.

"I would rather complete an apprenticeship than go on to sixth form or college. The selection process was different! In the final stage, after the interview, we went on a three-day camping trek. I want to stay here now and progress within the company."

Steven Read, the company's trainees' programmes manager, said: "Ensuring that we have skilled crafts people working on our distribution network is key to ensure that our customers' electricity supply is maintained. The recruitment and training of apprentices enable us to grow our skills base, which is important in our industry.

"Our chosen candidates should be proud of their success. It was a highly competitive process and we were looking for a very specific type of person who will have the dedication and ability needed for these crucial roles."

This year the company teamed up with 28 energy and utility companies through the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership to launch the new Workforce Renewal and Skills Strategy. The strategy is raising the profile of job opportunities, training and skills through to 2020 in an industry that provides essential power, gas, water and waste management services to 65 million people across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

UK Power Networks has already trained more than 250 apprentices in the past five years to help fill the industry's skills gap and currently has 66 apprentices completing training with the company. Last year UK Power Networks apprentices became the first in the country to complete the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards and received their certificates at the House of Commons. For a chance to follow in their footsteps see the careers pages at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk