Newbury MP Lee Dillon visits British Gas Academy in Thatcham to mark National Apprenticeship Week

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Newbury MP Lee Dillon visited the British Gas Academy’s open day in Thatcham to meet the latest cohort of apprentices.

During the visit, Mr Dillon was given a tour by apprentices Kasie and Jordan, who shared their experiences learning technical, sales and customer service skills on the Home Install Apprenticeship Programme.

The Thatcham Academy is one of four award-winning British Gas training centres providing apprentices with hands-on experience in smart meter installation, heat engineering and electrical systems.

But a key feature of this academy is its Green Hub, where trainees learn to install and maintain air source heat pumps and EV charging points — skills increasingly in demand as the UK moves towards net zero.

Mr Dillon said: “It was fantastic to visit the Academy and meet the apprentices shaping the future of our energy sector.

“The training here is not just about technical skills; it also ensures they are ready to work in the real world.

“I want to see the Government go further in supporting apprenticeships by allowing the levy to be used for short conversion courses.

“This would open up opportunities for more people to retrain and help fill skills shortages in key industries, from green energy to engineering.”

A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of adults see apprenticeships as a pathway to long-term job security, while two-thirds recognise them as a way to build essential skills.

This year, British Gas will offer more than 400 new apprenticeship roles across the UK as part of its commitment to upskill 3,500 apprentices by 2030.