VPI welcomes record intake of apprentices and graduates to drive UK energy transition

NEW PATH: One of the VPI cohort walks beside some of the fast response engines at the Immingham power plant, with Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery beyond it. 

VPI has taken on its largest-ever cohort of apprentices and graduates, reinforcing its commitment to developing talent and supporting the UK’s energy transition.

The company has welcomed nine apprentices including two third-year apprentices from neighbouring Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, alongside seven graduates in engineering, operations, maintenance, and performance roles. This brings VPI’s total entry level intake count to 34, which is more than 10 per cent of its workforce, with 18 based in Immingham.

VPI has been investing significantly in the Humber region, where it has operated the Immingham Combined Heat and Power plant for 12 years. Recent projects include a new open-cycle gas turbine and 11 fast-response engines, alongside advanced plans for carbon capture and storage as part of the Viking CCS initiative.

The milestone comes as the government looks to support more young people into the workforce with a £725 million package of reforms to help tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth announced recently, with engineering a key pillar.

Dave Theakstone, Plant Manager at VPI’s Combined Heat and Power plant in Immingham, said: “At VPI our focus is on solving challenges in the energy system and delivering reliable, flexible power that can enable us to grow the economy and support more renewables on our energy system. We want to develop the next generation of talent that can continue this mission into the future. The power industry provides solid, high value career paths for those who live in the region, and VPI can unlock thousands of jobs in construction, project management and engineering over the next few years, if our Humber Zero project is progressed.” 

Hayden Pearson, a third-year apprentice who transferred from Prax and lives in Grimsby, said: “I’ve wanted to work in power since I had my work experience at VPI while at school. I love knowing what goes into making the electricity before you switch the lights on. Now being able to move my apprenticeship here feels like coming full circle – and with projects like Humber Zero, it is an exciting time to be part of the team. I feel like the power industry gives me a steady lifelong career, especially as the world is electrifying.”

Seven recent graduates have also joined VPI with four based at Immingham covering engineering, operations and maintenance, and asset and performance. They share that sense of purpose. Ciara Foran, Chemical Engineering graduate, who lives in Hull, said: “I studied Chemical Engineering at university, and the energy-related modules were the ones I genuinely looked forward to; they made sense to me, they challenged me, and they sparked a real interest in how we power the world.   

“What really motivates me now is how fast the sector is changing. With the shift to renewables, new technologies, and the global push for net zero, it feels like such an exciting time to be part of it. There’s a real sense of momentum and purpose, and I want to be involved in shaping that future.”

Megane Steele-Lyall, Graduate Application Technician from Hull University, added: “I didn’t originally plan to go into the energy industry – my interest followed from educating myself and realising how important the energy sector is right now.

“VPI appealed to me because it’s in such a growth phase, with so many new projects underway, especially at Immingham where I’m based. When I first began researching VPI, I was drawn to the Humber Zero projects, but since joining, I’ve also found myself interested in the fast response gas-fired generation projects. For me, the focus is on balancing supply when renewables are intermittent.”