07
Aug
Renewable energy specialist Oakes Energy Services has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in future talent by sponsoring current award-winning employee, Chris Sime, as he embarks on a new chapter in his professional journey.
Chris, who is from West Moor, near Killingworth, currently works as an apprentice building services engineer within the company, will be pursuing a two-year, full-time Foundation Degree in Electrical Engineering at Newcastle College University Centre this September.
Chris first came to the business on work experience via Oakes Energy’s STEM outreach programme in local schools, colleges, and universities, which has been a key part of the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers.
The decision to support Chris’s academic progression reflects Oakes Energy’s ongoing strategy to nurture in-house talent and address the UK’s engineering skills shortage, particularly in the renewables sector. Following his foundation course, Chris plans to advance onto a Bachelors in Energy Engineering, providing valuable specialist knowledge in sustainable energy systems.
Chris said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build on my technical experience and start to understand more about the design and theory behind the systems we work with.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Oakes Energy for backing my development; it’s very motivating to know they’re as invested in my future as I am.”
Chris has excelled in the role so much so that he was awarded Apprentice of the Year at the North East Energy Award.
The company’s sponsorship includes financial support for tuition fees as well as continued mentorship throughout his studies, ensuring he remains closely connected with the team for when he returns full time, on completion of his studies.
Nik Smith, a director at Oakes Energy Services, said: “We are committed to developing the talent within our business, and Chris’s story is a perfect example of how we can grow the next generation of engineers from within. Chris was the first apprentice to be recruited into our degree-based apprenticeship programme which has continued with a further two students this year
“This kind of investment ensures our team is not only equipped with practical, hands-on knowledge but also has a deeper technical understanding that will be critical as the sector continues to expand.”