Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, visited the National Grid power station in Bushbury to learn more about the operations there and meet former apprentices who are now employed by National Grid.
Jane met two National Grid employees who began as apprentice engineers. She learnt about the exciting opportunities for boys and, importantly, girls who are looking to take on apprenticeship positions in crucial sectors such as engineering.
She also discussed how National Grid is helping the UK to achieve its zero carbon emission targets through the use of new technologies to generate renewable power and increase storage capacity.
Electricity used in homes, shops, hospitals and factories has to be transported over large distances from power stations without the energy being lost. The substation on Cat and Kittens Lane gathers the electricity and makes it useable for consumers.
The substation then feeds the power to the north of Wolverhampton using giant ‘step-down transformers’, which decrease the voltage of the electricity supply and increase current and remote-controlled capacitators to maintain the quality of the supply.
Jane said: “It was fascinating to visit the National Grid substation in Bushbury, and learn about just how important this facility is in supplying the electricity demands of Wolverhampton.
“I also had the opportunity to meet two National Grid employees who work on the site, and began their careers as apprentice engineers. Apprenticeships are a great way of providing young people with valuable skills and knowledge, whilst they are able to earn a wage.
“It’s great to see that young girls are also increasingly getting into sectors such as engineering, and I hope to see this continue. I want to thank National Grid for showing me round and allowing me to learn more about their operations in Bushbury.”
