National Apprenticeship Week 2022 - Build the Future

07 February 2022

By Tia Anderson

Smart Energy Apprentice

This week marks National Apprenticeship Week, and the theme for 2022 is ‘Build the Future’.

To celebrate, we’re sharing the stories of some of our current apprentices and looking at how they’re building their future skills and careers through apprenticeships – while also helping to build the future of Centrica.

Tia Anderson first joined British Gas working in Planning & Dispatch, before making the decision to re-train as a SMART Energy Expert:

"The SMART Energy Expert Apprenticeship appealed to me as I was at a bit of a crossroads in my life. I wanted to have a skill that would give me a career not just a job. I chose an apprenticeship as I wanted to earn money whilst I was training. It was a career change while coming up to my 30s and I needed something that was able to give me an income while learning something new.

I chose to do my apprenticeship with British Gas as it is known that the training is the best of the best. I was also confident from my experience working in dispatch that it was going to continue to be a great place to work.

The highlight of my experience so far is learning alongside my training group – building friendships while learning and helping each other along with our training.

The highlight of my experience so far is learning alongside my training group – building friendships while learning and helping each other along with our training.

The biggest challenge I've faced so far is getting used to working in a field-based environment. I was also concerned as to how the public would react to me working a male dominated field. However, I am enjoying working in the field, all my team have been great, and the customers have been very positive.

I am excited to gain knowledge in my field and become more confident in my role. I am also looking forward to potentially being able to cross skill in the future.

Anyone who is hesitant should take the leap as the rewards are great. I know that in the future I will be on a good wage, working in a great environment with skills that will help me in my career. I would especially urge women to 100% go for it as everything I've experienced as a female engineer has been hugely positive."