Clean Jobs for a Brighter Britain

LONDON, February 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

At British Gas we like to do more than just supply energy. We want to make our customers' lives easier wherever we can.

That's why we're thrilled to announce the Transform partnership, which shows our commitment to creating 1,000 skilled jobs over the next three years to be filled by unemployed young people. The new partnership with leading environment charity Global Action Plan and Accenture will help tackle both energy efficiency and youth unemployment in the UK, and enable us to add the workforce of the future to our skilled team.

The Transform partnership is part of our ECO (Energy Company Obligation) programme, whereby we help to deliver housing regeneration projects in local communities, enabling hard-pressed households to become more energy efficient. Through ECO, British Gas is delivering hundreds of energy-saving measures through community projects and help local people to save money on bills.

How does the partnership work?

Our new scheme, supported by Jobcentre Plus, will give free sustainability training to 1,400 jobseekers. Each and every person that successfully completes the course will earn a BTEC qualification and is guaranteed an interview with British Gas.

One of the world's largest consultancy firms, Accenture, will support the development and training of jobseekers by giving them access to their ambitious Skills to Succeed programme. In turn Global Action Plan will help target young unemployed people in local communities and deliver the training.

The Transform partnership has been successfully tested in Walsall and Glasgow in November and December 2012 already, and all 17 jobs on offer were filled.

Commenting on the partnership, Trewin Restorick, CEO of Global Action Plan, said: "Our unique partnership will change the lives of 1,400 young unemployed people by providing qualifications and interview experience - and seeing 1,000 into a skilled career with British Gas to help households save money and cut carbon."

Claire Williams, Managing Director of British Gas New Energy, added: "Growth, unemployment and sustainability are big challenges for the country. Big British companies have a responsibility to make a positive contribution which is why we are taking action to create skilled green jobs in areas of low employment.

This training will make a difference to unemployed young people who will get skills and jobs as well as hard-pressed households who will benefit from energy efficiency measures."

So if you're 17-25 years old and currently not in education, employment or training, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. For more information, and to apply for the training, please visit http://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/transform.

SOURCE British Gas