Centrica to hire 500 apprentices in 2026
Centrica has today announced 500 new apprenticeships in 2026, helping to equip Britain’s next generation of engineers with the skills needed to drive the energy transition.
As part of the two-year programme, apprentices will benefit from hands-on training in the latest low-carbon technologies including heat pumps, EV chargers, solar panels and battery storage.
With access to four of Centrica’s existing award-winning academies plus the new state of the art £35 million Net Zero Training Academy in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, opening in May, they’ll gain real-world experience in full-size eco houses and advanced research labs – learning the skills needed to deliver the homes of tomorrow.
Centrica, owner of British Gas, Hive, Spirit Energy, Centrica Energy Storage and Bord Gáis Energy, already has a 7,000-strong expert engineer workforce, and is backing the next generation with well-paid, unionised jobs. Designed to open doors for people from all backgrounds, the programme supports its aim to make sure no one is left behind as the UK and Ireland move towards net zero.
Why it matters
- Commitment: Centrica is delivering on its pledge to hire an apprentice every day this decade; almost 2,000 new apprentices have already been welcomed since 2021.
- Innovation: These apprentices will be the first to access training at the new advanced research labs at Lutterworth Training Academy when it opens, including Net Zero, Diagnostic & Innovation, Smart Testing, Controls, and Hive Labs.
- Investment: By investing in large-scale apprenticeship programmes and new research and training facilities, Centrica is thinking about the long-term, helping to build the skilled workforce needed for the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica plc, said:
“Creating the well-paid, unionised jobs needed to drive the energy transition is one of the biggest tasks facing our industry today. That’s why we’re committed to hiring a new apprentice for every day of this decade and the 500 new roles announced today is part of that.
“By investing in new apprenticeships and state-of-the-art training facilities, we’re not only setting a new benchmark for industry training – we’re thinking long term – driving the innovation needed for a just transition and to build a skilled workforce fit for the future. Training more engineers in green skills is a win for everyone: it will make the energy transition more achievable, while giving our people the expertise and confidence to deliver the first-class service our customers rightly expect.”
Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald, added:
“Our clean energy mission is sparking a boom in demand for skilled engineers, supporting thousands of good, well-paid jobs across the UK.
“Centrica’s 500 new apprenticeships represent the next generation of clean energy workers powering Britain into the future, equipping them with the skills to deliver the energy transition.”
