Giving up a job to venture into unknown territory can be a frightening experience.

But one Colchester apprentice grabbed the opportunity with both hands and is now on his way to becoming a qualified overhead linesman.

Jack Routledge swapped his part-time job at McDonald’s to train with UK Power Networks, Britain’s largest electricity network operator, which distributes power across the East of England, the South East and London.

Spending ten weeks a year training at Warwickshire College in Leamington Spa, he spends the rest of his time at the company’s Braintree depot, learning how to climb electricity poles, fix and connect power cables or kit out electricity substations.

Jack, 18, of Maybury Close, says: “I was quite nervous about starting my new job. It was a big change living with a group of people I’d never met before, but now we’re all like one big family.

“What I like about apprenticeships is that you go out in the real world and see how things are done. We are climbing poles and things like that.”

Jack admits he was searching for an apprenticeship since he left Stanway School two years ago and took on work at the fast-food restaurant to keep in the workplace and generate an income.

He explains: “I was working part-time as a crew member at MacDonald’s while studying electrical installations at Colchester Institute. I enjoyed interacting with the customers but didn’t see it as a long-term career. I did it to run my car while I was getting some qualifications, experience and looking for an apprenticeship.”

He was just one of 30 candidates selected out of 820 applicants to take on the on-the-job training scheme, and over the next three years he will prepare to join the skilled teams who keep power flowing to more than a quarter of the country, 24-hours a day.

Jack says: “Working for the electricity industry will be a rewarding and responsible role, particularly given the need to ensure network security is maintained. I have always enjoyed the practical side of learning and this is exactly what I had hoped for from my future career.”

He understands it can be difficult for people his age to find work and training, but says if they keep learning they will find a position to suit them.

Jack adds: “I encourage other young people to increase their knowledge of the area they want to work in and learn new skills – then at least you are gaining knowledge.

“That helped me on the assessment day for this apprenticeship when I did practical assessments. A couple of the boys on my training course weren’t successful in their applications in previous years, but now they’ve got a foot in the door and they’ve got their chance.

“So keep trying, don’t give up, approach lots of different companies and you will get somewhere eventually, if you put in the hard work. I’m really happy with my new career.”

Patrick Clarke, director of network operations at UK Power Networks, also began his career as an apprentice.

He says: “The average age profile of our workforce is now 50 plus so this is an excellent time for young people with new ideas to make their mark. There is a significant shortage of people with the technical skills we need and we are one of the few long-term industries where, if you perform well, your future is secure. If you’ve got talent and you are prepared to work hard, you could have a really promising future with us.”

The company’s apprenticeship scheme aims to address a shortage of electrical craftsmen joining the industry to train as linesmen, jointers and fitters.