British Gas hires 1,000 jobless for green plan

BRITISH Gas, trading as Scottish Gas in Scotland, has unveiled plans to create 1,000 “green” jobs over the next three years for young, unemployed people.

The energy giant has teamed up with environmental charity Global Action Plan and consultancy Accenture to provide free training to more than 1,400 youngsters not in education, employment or training.

Each person who completes the five-day course is guaranteed an interview with the energy supplier, and it is anticipated 1,000 under-25s will go on to get jobs with the company.

The project, dubbed Transform, comes in response to the UK’s continuing youth unemployment crisis, with almost one million 16 to 24-year-olds out of education, employment or training.

Under the partnership, Global Action Plan will provide training to 17 to 25-year-olds on Jobseekers’ Allowance who, if successful, will gain a Btec qualification in sustainability.

The Transform project, which is backed by Jobcentre Plus, was piloted in Glasgow and Walsall last year, where 17 new British Gas jobs were filled by graduates from the course.

The new employees are now working as tenant liaison and community engagement officers, helping provide people in their local areas with advice on how to tackle fuel poverty and take advantage of energy efficiency improvements.