Jessica Morgan, recently started an electrical apprenticeship with E.ON UK, one of the UK's leading power and gas companies. She is training to become an overhead linesperson, carrying out construction, maintenance and repairs on the overhead electricity network.

After her A-Levels, Jessica became interested in electrical work after completing an electrical home learning course. "I'd enjoyed my A-Levels in PE and Geography, but I felt there wasn't much leeway career-wise, so I chose another subject entirely. I used the course to see if this was something I really was interested in. There would be no point in starting an apprenticeship if I wasn't sure I was interested in the subject."

Like the other electrical apprentices, Jessica spends her time at the Engineering Academy learning practical skills she can use in the field, such as finding out about the different types of cables and the specialist tools needed for the job. The rest of the time, Jessica is out on site with a qualified linesman.

Jessica's four-year apprenticeship helps her work towards a NVQ in electrical distribution technology, and she thinks it’s a great career to get into. "We’re almost an emergency service in some ways, helping keep power running into people’s homes, day or night."

Jessica is fairly unusual, as most engineering apprenticeship places tend to be taken by men. Does this make her feel any different? "Not at all! The fact that I'm a woman is irrelevant and I’m not conscious of it at all. All the apprentices are really supportive of each other, and we often plan things of an evening."