Eon to recruit 250 smart meter installers

Eon has announced it will recruit up to 250 technicians this year in a bid to ramp up its smart meter roll out.

The announcement follows Eon’s agreement with Morrison Utility Services (MUS) this week to deliver a fully managed smart meter service for the big six supplier across London, the south of England and Scotland.

The technicians will help install smart meters across the country to add to the half a million Eon has installed over the last four years. The new technicians will consist of 180 experienced metering technicians, 50 who will be given the opportunity to gain the specific qualification required to install smart meters, and 20 apprentices.

Eon human resources director Dave Newborough said: “As well as inviting people from within our organisation to apply, this programme will provide real opportunities and jobs for successful external candidates too – including people with no previous metering experience and those wishing to join at apprenticeship level.

“We believe this is hugely important; we want to help encourage more people to join the energy industry, especially as we’re facing a potential skills shortage within the sector.”

Candidates will join Eon’s existing field operations smart metering team which currently employs over 650 technicians.

Energy minister Lord Bourne said: “Rolling out smart meters is a key part of our plan to make sure our energy infrastructure is fit for the 21st century. It’s great to see that as well as helping bill-payers take control of their energy use, smart meters are helping to power the economy by creating jobs and financial security for working people and their families.”

This recruitment drive comes despite previous fears from the industry that there would be a skills shortage of smart meter installers due to the relatively short term nature of the rollout.