THE next generation of apprentices have started their careers at Torness Power Station.

Four maintenance apprentices and one chemistry apprentice have been taken on at the power station, near Dunbar.

The four maintenance apprentices – Andrew Hall (18) and Ryan Sutherland (19), from Dunbar; Alex Campbell (18), from Spittal; and Kieran Saines (19), from Edinburgh – kicked off their careers with a team-building week in the Lake District, where they met other apprentices from a number of power stations.

After a week of activities and challenges, the EDF apprentices started their studies at Bridgwater & Taunton College, home to the National College for Nuclear, where they will spend the next two years.

Tam Al Bishawi, station director at Torness, wished the teenagers well.

He said: “Our new recruits had a great time during their outward bound week, meeting the people they are going to be living and working with for the next two years.

“Now they are eager to take on the new and exciting challenges their training will present.”

The apprentices will learn basic engineering skills in their first year before specialising in their trade in the second year.

They will complete the final two years back at Torness Power Station.

The chemistry apprentice, Harry Bertrand (17), from East Linton, started at the power station in August.