Apprenticeship Programme
The application process is now closed.
Belco Apprenticeship Open House – Thursday October 14th, 2021
The BELCO Apprenticeship Programme is your opportunity to secure a rewarding, respected, and challenging career at the forefront of Bermuda’s energy industry.
Opportunity
BELCO’s Apprenticeship Programme offers the opportunity to train in a structured way towards a successful and rewarding career.
Hands-on-training
Blend technical training and academic study with work-based learning to kick start your career in Bermuda’s evolving energy industry.
Earn as you learn
Start your practical and technical career on the right foot, learning valuable skills whilst earning a living.
Building Bermuda.
Investing in the future.
At BELCO, we’re focused on our key role in the transition to a sustainable Bermuda. We’re committed to quickening the pace of the transition to renewables, to cleaner electric transport, to improving air quality, and driving down the cost of electricity—to deliver a better future, as quickly as possible, for everyone.
We know that people are central to us realising our vision, so we rely on talented, hardworking and resilient people to join us.
Through our Apprenticeship Programme we develop talent and offer a wide range of careers for people with differing skills, expertise and ambitions. We are looking for the best and brightest that can successfully complete our Apprenticeship Programme. Candidates interested in acquiring electrical and mechanical fitting, overhead linework and specialised cable jointing skills will find the Apprenticeship Programme both demanding and rewarding. With exposure to electricity generation and transmission and distribution, successful apprentices can expect to work in a rapidly changing energy industry where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront.
To keep with the pace of this change, we are seeking individuals that are safety conscious, have good work ethic, character and critical thinking skills. An interest in continuous improvement through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning will be necessary. There’s never been a better time to join us, so we look forward to receiving your application!
Know the benefits
As a BELCO apprentice, you’ll be an essential part of our business, working in a real role, taking on responsibility, and learning new skills from day one.
Electrical Fitter
Assembles, installs, tests, commissions, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs electrical installations, equipment and systems in accordance with regulations and specifications. Persons seeking this skillset will need to be well-rounded in both electrical theory, construction, problem solving and troubleshooting. Apprentices embracing this skillset should be prepared to work across the organisation in areas of fault finding, switchgear testing, relay diagnostics and breaker repair and maintenance. Ability to interpret electrical drawings, perform calculations and understand the broader electrical network would be expected.
Mechanical Fitter
Assembles, installs, tests, commissions, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs mechanical installations, equipment and systems in accordance with regulations and specifications. Persons seeking this skillset will need to understand mechanical fabrication and component assembly and manufacturing. Apprentices embracing this skillset should be prepared to work on and with industrial grade machinery and equipment with an appreciation for creative problem solving in a physically demanding role. Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, take measurements for design/build purposes and understand plant operations would be expected.
Line Worker
Assembles, installs, tests, commissions, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs electrical installations, equipment and systems in accordance with regulations and specifications. Persons seeking this skillset will need to be well-rounded in both electrical theory, construction, problem solving and troubleshooting. Apprentices embracing this skillset should be prepared to work in outside environments with exposure to adverse weather conditions and working at heights. Ability to interpret construction drawings, take measurements for design/build purposes and understand the broader electrical network would be expected.
Electrical Jointer
Assembles, installs, tests, commissions, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs electrical installations, equipment and systems in accordance with regulations and specifications. Persons seeking this skillset will need to be well-rounded in both electrical theory, construction, problem solving and troubleshooting. Apprentices embracing this skillset should be prepared to work in outside environments with exposure to adverse weather conditions. Ability to interpret construction drawings, take measurements for design/build purposes and understand the broader electrical network would be expected. The jointer skillset heavily embraces the specialised terminations of cables at higher voltage levels.
Upon completion of the programme, successful candidates shall be assessed for progression to Graded positions and placed in designated areas of the business for the foreseeable future.
Success Stories
Our Apprenticeship Programme has produced generations of qualified, young Bermudians who have made successful career contributions to Bermuda’s energy industry. But don’t just take it from us, here are a few success stories, from real BELCO apprentices.
I started as an apprentice in 1989 and continued my professional development and education to achieve an electrical engineering degree and chartership with the support from the company allowing me to qualify for and fill numerous roles over the years culminating in the role of President. I am proud to be a part of BELCO’s history of promoting professional and personal development and offering apprentices, like myself, a variety of careers with training beginning at the introductory level and continuing as high as they aspire to achieve.
Education
I honestly didn’t know what to expect, especially being a woman in a man’s world. But I would recommend the BELCO Apprenticeship Programme to young Bermudians. There’s nothing like learning a trade!
Opportunity
I’d definitely recommend the Apprenticeship programme. It’s a great opportunity for young people that are unsure about life. It can open up your eyes and spark an interest in fields you might not have considered.
Experience
My advice for anyone that is thinking about applying to the Apprenticeship Programme at BELCO, is just do it! It will be a great experience, especially if the electrical industry is something you’re into.
From the President
At BELCO, we strongly believe in investing in our future. Our Apprenticeship Programme has been empowering young Bermudians for decades with the opportunity for hands-on training and to earn while they learn. Our apprentices can choose from a variety of roles and enjoy a life-long career while serving the people of Bermuda. I would encourage anyone looking for an engaging, challenging and exciting career to apply for the programme and join our team who are building a sustainable energy future for Bermuda.”
FAQs
How long is the programme?
The Apprenticeship is a four-year programme.
What does the programme consist of?
The programme consists of theoretical, hands-on and on-the job learning where apprentices get paid while they learn.
Do we have to travel overseas to school and for how long?
Travel overseas for school is typically multiple times throughout a year-long period. Stints throughout the year vary from a few weeks to a few months.
Do we get paid during the programme, including when in school?
Yes.
Do we get to choose which job/department we want to work in?
Apprentices are asked where they would like to be placed, but final placement selection is at the discretion of the Company and based on skills assessment and business need.
How many current apprentices are there?
BELCO currently has eight apprentices across the organisation in various areas of the business. Much of the skilled workforce are past apprentices that graduated from the programme.
Do I require electrical/mechanical experience?
Experience in areas of electrical and mechanics would be helpful, but is not required. What is required is a positive and coachable attitude and willingness to learn along with a good work ethic.
Can women apply?
Yes.
What are the departments?
There are various departments within our Bulk Generation (BG) and Transmission, Distribution & Retail (TD&R) business centres. The core of these business streams are electrical and mechanical in nature.
How many positions are you recruiting for? What are the available roles?
BELCO is looking for persons interested in acquiring skills across various crafts (line worker, electrical/mechanical fitter and jointer). We are looking for the best and the brightest who demonstrate an ability to pass our entrance requirements and meet our demanding standards.
What if I’m older than 25yrs?
18-25 is a preference, not a requirement. We are considering persons of all ages and taking all factors into consideration, noting the apprenticeship is designed to fulfill business critical strategies and objectives.
Can my family visit me when I’m in school? Can I come home during school breaks?
The Apprenticeship represents technical education and is no different from academic education such as college in terms of meeting course expectations, restricted living allowances and requirements around family interaction.
What is on the theory test?
What is on the practical test?
The practical test is actually an assessment of one’s ability to put mechanical and electrical components together. Instructors will be assessing one’s critical thinking and hands-on skills.
When will we know if we have been successful with our application?
The selection of apprentices is a multi-staged process with cuts made until the final group is selected. BELCO’s HR team shall inform persons of their status at appropriate stages of the process.
Is there drug testing?
Yes, and note that BELCO has a standing drug and alcohol policy beyond the apprenticeship. This is a requirement considering the hazardous and safety conscious environment we have to operate in.
What is the application process?
What are the requirements for applying?
When will the programme start?
What if I’m afraid of heights?
The lineworker skillset requires one to be comfortable performing work at heights during normal operations and during adverse field conditions. Other skillsets expose persons to other hazards such as confined spaces. Workers are trained for such, but if there is a real fear or reluctance to work under such conditions, potential candidates should consider such before applying.
Do I need a heavy truck license?
It is expected that all apprentices acquire a heavy truck license as part of their apprenticeship.
What if I can’t travel to the US/UK/CAN?
This is a requirement of the programme.
What happens after the programme is complete?
Upon completion of the programme, successful candidates shall be assessed for progression to Graded positions and placed in designated areas of the business for the foreseeable future
Pro tip
Like most apprenticeship programmes, we require a drug screening test at the end of the application process when the apprenticeship position is offered to you. You won’t pass the drug test if any drugs are found in your system during the screening.