Posted on Thursday 10th October 2024
Two young professionals are playing their part in developing plans for more electric vehicle usage in Staffordshire, thanks to their work experience placements.
Their journey through the placement programmes at Staffordshire County Council have seen them secure fulltime jobs in the Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Team.
Samuel Bishop, aged 19 from Burntwood, joined the team after successfully completing an Open-Door work experience placement. The programme, part of the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service, provides valuable experience to help people find a job or change career.
Talking about his new job, Samuel said:
“The Open-Door programme has been an incredible opportunity for me to learn and grow.
“The experience and the practical skills I gained on the placement were great and really prepared me for the world of work. I’m thrilled to continue my journey with Staffordshire County Council and contribute to our EV infrastructure projects. This is a really exciting project and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making a difference.
“I would definitely recommend Open Door to anyone who needs a helping hand to find a job.”
Lewis Anderson, aged 24 from Burton on Trent, has also joined the team as their Electric Vehicle Project Manager. He recently spent two years at the Council completing the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), now called Impact, before securing his job.
Reflecting on his new role, Lewis said:
“I’m excited to bring my experience from the National Graduate Development programme backto Staffordshire County Council.
“Working with the EV Infrastructure Team is great and provides a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in our community. I’m extremely grateful for the experience that being part of the NGDP at Staffordshire given me, and I look forward to putting the skills I have developed during the last two years into practice as part of the team.”
Lewis and Samuel talk about getting their jobs in this short video.
Staffordshire County Council is playing a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating the transition to electric vehicles. Whilst not directly responsible for installing and maintaining the EV charging network, as the highways authority and a major landowner, the county council is responsible for ensuring that the development of a charging infrastructure meets the needs of Staffordshire residents, communities and businesses.
Mark Deaville, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways at Staffordshire County Council, welcomed the new team members and said:
“We are pleased to have Samuel and Lewis on board. Their fresh perspectives and dedication to sustainable transport will be invaluable as we continue to develop our EV infrastructure.
“This is an important project for the county that will undoubtedly help us achieve our goals for a greener future.”
The authority has secured provisional funding of £4.588 million from the Department for Transport to support the expansion of the EV charging network. This investment is expected to unlock an additional £10-£15 million in private sector funding. By combining public input with financial support, Staffordshire aims to become a leading county in electric vehicle adoption.
Further information on the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service is available on their website.
Further information on Staffordshire’s plans for an electric vehicle charging network is available here.