Eight North Lanarkshire locals have secured jobs with SP Energy Networks (SPEN) through a trainee programme.

The partnership, involving North Lanarkshire Council and SPEN, addresses a skills gap while pushing the community towards a Net Zero future.

Hosted from the Scottish Power Training Centre in Cumbernauld, the programme focuses on LV Cable Jointing and Civils, aligning with SPEN's aim to create 100 jobs across the West of Scotland.

Councillor Andrew Duffy-Lawson, vice-convener of the Finance and Resources committee, said: "As a council, we are delighted to be working with SP Energy Networks to help provide industry certified training opportunities in this highly skilled sector.

“Through these partnership projects, our NL Academies team aim to provide successful recruitment and employment opportunities for people across our communities meeting skills gaps identified by business partners in recognised growth sectors such as the Built Environment.

"I’d like to wish all the trainees every success as they embark on their learning journey, as we work together to foster a skilled workforce for the future.”

Sharon Nulty, SPD Licence programme manager at SPEN, said: “SP Energy Networks are proud to support the Net Zero employment trial in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and a number of our service partners.

"Serving our communities is at the heart of our responsibility as an electricity network operator and recruiting locally is a central part of that.

"We hope to build on this trial across our licence area in the future.”

The trainee programme, facilitated by the council's NL Academies team, is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

For more information, contact NLAcademies@northlan.gov.uk.