The depot is keen to attract applicants to its three-year training scheme, which offers hands-on experience in Portsmouth and across the south, whilst offering trainees the opportunity to complete a foundation degree qualification.

The Power Systems degree is undertaken at two UK universities – Thames Valley University, Reading for the first year, and Aston University, Birmingham for the following two years.

Trainees earn a salary and, once qualified, get the opportunity to become a network, design, planning or control engineer for Southern Electric, a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy.

Trainee engineer David White said he knows first- hand the benefits of the scheme.

Previously an electrician, 25-year-old David was one of the first to join the new scheme in January 2007.

He said: 'I haven't got any A levels, so I have found studying for the Power Systems foundation degree quite hard work. But the university course is really good and well taught.

'The company is also very supportive in giving you time to study. I didn't have a lot of academic knowledge beforehand but as long as you put in the work, anyone can do it.'

Every six weeks, David spends a fortnight away at university studying for the foundation degree.

His hard work has also been recognised with an award for the best academic performance on the course.

He said: 'In the first year of the course we were shown the basics of how a depot works – the practicalities of how the lights are kept on for Portsmouth's residents.

'In years two and three, this will be far more related to the degree, working with project engineers on planning new sections of the network and ensuring existing parts work safely and efficiently.

'I've got a lot more knowledge now of how the power industry works and a far greater technical understanding. Also more responsibility which I'm enjoying!'

Applicants for the scheme should have some experience in electrical work, or in a technical or semi-technical role, or have a maths or physics A-level, and GCSE-level English.

Trainees can expect a starting salary of around £16,000.

The 2008 scheme begins in September, and the deadline for applications is May 30.

For further information, visit the training opportunities section at www.powerful opportunities.co.uk, or contact Michelle Kachhwaha on 0118 9534097.

adam.kula@thenews.co.uk