SSE welcomes 87 new graduates as investment creates jobs and opportunities across the UK

Announcement follows SSE’s creation of 100 new offshore wind jobs in Montrose, announced by the Scottish First Minister on Monday.

• First-ever graduate roles in Orkney and specialist Safety, Health and Wellbeing team highlight the breadth of opportunities available in the energy sector.

• The graduates will help deliver a £29bn programme of transmission grid investment that is supporting jobs, skills and economic growth in communities across the region.

Leading electricity infrastructure company SSE has welcomed 87 new graduates to its workforce this week, helping build the skills needed to rewire the north of Scotland and creating opportunities for young people just days after backing Alan Milburn's new First Chance programme.

The majority of graduates will join SSEN Transmission, SSE's electricity transmission network business, and will be based across the north of Scotland, including Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and the company's head office in Perth, helping deliver the major grid upgrades needed to support economic growth, energy security and the clean energy transition.

The intake comes as SSE continues to invest in jobs, skills and infrastructure across Scotland. Just a day earlier, the company announced plans to create 100 new full-time jobs in Montrose linked to its Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, highlighting the growing demand for the engineers, technicians and specialists needed to deliver the energy system of the future.

This year also marks the first time a full-time graduate will be based at SSEN Transmission's Orkney office, working on the flagship Orkney Link project, which will connect Orkney to the GB transmission network for the first time.

The intake also includes the first graduate role within the company’s specialist Safety, Health and Wellbeing team, reflecting SSE’s commitment to ensuring safety remains at the heart of everything it does.

The graduates join SSE from a broad range of academic backgrounds, including engineering, environmental sciences, project management and business-related disciplines. Together, they bring fresh perspectives, specialist knowledge and innovative thinking to support the company's continued growth.

The graduate programme provides rotational placements across the business, giving participants hands-on experience in a range of specialist areas including:

• Engineering and operational delivery, from onshore infrastructure to offshore HVDC technology;

• Project management, planning and programme delivery;

• Land, marine, environmental and health and safety teams, helping ensure projects are delivered responsibly and sustainably.

Alongside practical experience, graduates benefit from professional development opportunities and play an active role in inspiring the next generation through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programmes and partnerships with organisations including Engineering Development Trust (EDT), Powering Futures and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW).

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will move into permanent specialist roles, helping deliver the network infrastructure needed to provide secure, affordable and clean electricity across Great Britain.

Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: 

"Welcoming our largest-ever graduate intake is another important milestone in SSEN Transmission's growth and in our commitment to developing the skilled workforce needed for the future.

"The transition to a clean energy system is creating unprecedented opportunities for talented people to build rewarding careers while making a real difference to communities across the north of Scotland and beyond.

"Our graduates will play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure needed to connect more renewable energy, strengthen energy security and support economic growth. In return, they'll gain valuable experience, develop specialist skills and help shape the future of our energy network.

"I am thrilled to welcome this exceptional group to SSEN Transmission and look forward to seeing the contribution they make in the years ahead.”