EON has announced it is to recruit and train up to 500 new smart meter technicians during 2017 and will work collaboratively with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to fill a number of these roles.

Eon, working with the DWP, will use the Smart Sector Based Work Academy to recruit up to 50 of the 500 starters. The programme will deliver a recruitment, assessment and training process to engage with potential candidates through job centres across the country.

The Smart Sector Based Work Academy will provide selected candidates with a five day work-ready training programme.

The first half of the programme will include an introduction to Eon and smart metering, health and safety training, as well as equipping candidates with customer service, assessment and interview preparation skills.

The second half will focus on candidate assessment, with feedback and outcomes communicated after.

The first 15 candidates have been selected from job centres in Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Luton, St Albans and Watford, and have commenced their training and assessment at the St Albans Job Centre in Hertfordshire.

Eon and the DWP aim to roll this recruitment and training academy to other areas across the country.

As well as the Smart Sector Based Work Academy, Eon will be advertising and recruiting for the majority of these roles through various channels and will be targeting candidates from a range of backgrounds and with differing work experiences.

Successful candidates will start their full-time employment from January

2017 and will be provided with both on and off the job training, before commencing their role installing smart meters in homes and businesses across the country once fully qualified.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: “Even with record employment there is still more we can do to help people find work which is why we are working with companies like Eon to create training opportunities for young jobseekers.

“Our sector-based work academies are a ‘win-win’ for all involved — employers get the staff they need, and jobseekers receive quality training and a guaranteed interview.”

For further details on smart meter recruitment visit eon.li/px4ku