Helen Dalgleish - Graduate Trainee Engineer (Mechanical)

Joined company: September 2006

What I do:

SSE is a vertically integrated company enabling a diverse array of placements. I have spent time working on generation plant in my boiler suit, climbed electricity poles and put up wires, seen the bigger picture in terms of the whole transmission and distribution grid and the huge planning and projects that go into keeping it operational, right up to trading electricity to meet our customers’ demands. Along with that, I have seen the vast amount of work needed to keep the company going - the procurement team, health and safety, HR, energy forecasting and telecoms.

Currently, I am preparing the project to refurbish one of our small hydro stations - a huge project management task!

How I arrived:

I wanted to move to Scotland and I wanted to work for a Power company so I looked for companies that fitted the bill.

What have I got out of the programme: SSE is a great company to work for allowing you to develop and work in many different areas. It’s really common to find that you are talking to someone who has their 10 year or 20 year service award - people enjoy their work and they see no reason to leave. They won’t have been in the same job all that time, but will have had the opportunity to try new things in different departments. There is so much choice and you can become vastly experienced in numerous fields. I have learnt so much since I joined.  You are also given responsibility for your work early on - my current project to refurbish a hydro station is massive, thousands or freshwater invertebrates are counting on me - as well as the profits of the company.

What does the company expect:

SSE is a community as well as a place to work. It isn’t about the individual so much as being part of something bigger that wants to move forward, that wants to be the best. You are expected to do all you can to enable it reach its goal but you will enjoy it along the way, and you will share in the benefits at the end!