Welcome to the second edition of Professionals with Purpose.

If you’ve wondered how you can have a more positive impact while you run a business or earn a living, we’ll help inspire you. We’ll feature examples of businesses, charities, government organisations, individuals and entrepreneurs who have done it or are achieving it - and doing so at pace.

It’s not just good news stories, it’s about revealing how many people and teams are growing their income and impact at pace.

61% of young workers want their next job to tackle the climate crisis

10 Jan

Energy company OVO’s Tech Academy is again open for applications for 2023, with a new apprenticeship course in software development.

The Academy is an apprenticeship programme focused on supporting more people to kickstart a career in software engineering. Trainees are committed to either starting or retraining in a skilled career that helps tackle the climate crisis, while providing a flexible employment opportunity where they can earn as they learn. After passing the programme, apprenticeships join as full time engineers with 100% staying on from 2022.

Polling for OVO found that 45% of people in the UK and 61% of under-35s are looking to move to a skilled job where they can help tackle the climate crisis.

As part of the OVO Tech Academy, the software engineers work on technology helping to lower household's carbon footprint and enable customers to understand and take control of their energy usage.

The opportunity to launch a career in software engineering at OVO requires no prior experience, opening the doors for those with different backgrounds. Every apprentice will receive “a competitive salary with all training fully paid for by the apprenticeship levy”, ensuring apprenticeships do not bear any costs associated with the programme.

Christina Scott, Chief Product and Technology Officer, OVO said:

“The OVO Tech Academy has already seen inspiring and diverse talent join OVO, pursuing a new career without a background in engineering. I’m proud to continue working with Makers to ensure our future apprentices have the tools, confidence and support on hand to launch their careers at OVO.”

OVO was founded in 2009. Through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero OVO aims to help tackle the climate crisis: it has committed to being a net zero carbon business and “achieve bold science-based carbon reduction targets”, while helping customers reduce their household emissions at the same time.

Applications close on 19th January 2023 by 5pm.

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