“This has given more in terms of career progression than anything I’ve done”

The quest for diverse and sustainable sources of power requires a fresh approach from the people working in the energy sector. Workers will need to be adaptable and able to think on their feet.

“Energy will become more creative,” says Emma Dean, 22, who works in process improvement in oil and gas projects at Baker Hughes. “New skills are now needed in the workplace. It’s about constantly assessing the change and staying relevant.”

Growing up in Bristol, Emma was surrounded by aerospace companies, had an interest in STEM and wanted to be an engineer. She was all set to the A-level and university route but pivoted to an apprenticeship, in part because she recognised her own nascent leadership abilities.

At 16, Emma joined the energy technology company Baker Hughes’ oil and gas wing as a project management apprentice. While working on projects delivering subsea systems to international customers, she gained a Level 3 qualification in business administration and a foundation degree.

• “I was adding more layers to the leadership experience I already had”

She then chose to drive her development further – by pursuing a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) with the University of Exeter.

She just had to pitch the idea to Baker Hughes first.

“I said: if you’re willing to allow me to have the time to do this apprenticeship, I promise you’ll get value out of it too,” says Emma. “They told me to go for it.”

“You learn so much”

Emma knew the course would be intense as the syllabus was condensed into two years. But it’s been made easier by “amazing” support – from the quality of the lectures to the resources provided by CMI.