Battersea Power Station landmark welcomes 100th local apprentice

Wandsworth resident Kallol Karanjai, a 38-year-old Electrical Apprentice for TClarke, is the 100th local apprentice to work on the Power Station building bringing the total number of local construction apprentices working on the project to 176 since it began in 2013.

Opening to the public in late summer, the London landmark will be the centrepiece of a new neighbourhood which will act as a new hub for the local and wider communities, a new business quarter for the capital and an exciting retail and leisure destination for Londoners and international visitors.

Kallol heard about the apprenticeship through Wandsworth Work Match, Wandsworth Council’s jobs brokerage service. Battersea Power Station and its contractors work in partnership with Work Match to offer job and apprenticeship opportunities to local people.

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Welcomed: Electrical apprentice Kallol Karanjai

On being the 100th apprentice to work on the restoration of the London landmark, Kallol Karanjai said: “I’m delighted and I’m pleased that I can help raise awareness of how apprenticeships can enable you to develop new skills and a career at any age. When I started applying for apprenticeships, I was worried that employers would only consider recent school leavers but the team at Battersea Power Station have been extremely welcoming and supportive. I really enjoy working on the iconic Power Station itself, it’s a huge reputable project which will definitely stand out on my CV.”

'Foot on the career ladder'

In a visit to Battersea Power Station, Councillor Rhodri Morgan, Wandsworth Council’s spokesman for Economic Development, Skills and Employment, met a group of apprentices from the local area. Hayley Brockway from Loughton Contracts, Daniel Pepple from B K Systems and Nicola Thorogood from Lindner are all working on the development project (pictured above).

Councillor Rhodri Morgan, Wandsworth Council’s spokesman for Economic Development, Skills and Employment, said: "Starting work as an apprentice builds valuable skills and on-the-job experience so we're delighted that Work Match and BASE are able to provide so many opportunities at Battersea Power Station.

"I really enjoyed meeting new apprentices Daniel, Hayley and Nicola who are so enthusiastic and excited about the work they're doing. It's wonderful to know that local residents are playing a vital role in securing the future of this incredible London landmark and getting a foot on the career ladder as they work."

To date, the Battersea Power Station development has filled 606 construction and 136 operational jobs with local residents from Wandsworth and Lambeth, on top of the 176 local apprenticeships.

Director of Battersea Power Station’s BASE (Battersea Academy for Skills and Employment), Andre Burwood said: “Developing a unique community and neighbourhood, which generates opportunities for local residents has always been important to our shareholders and we’re delighted that we have been able to offer 100 apprentices’ roles which are helping to restore the iconic Power Station itself back to its former glory. We have seen an increasing number of people looking to change career paths during the pandemic and apprenticeships are a great opportunity to learn new skills which open doors to different industries.

“Getting people upskilled and into work is a primary focus at Battersea Power Station and we work with education providers, local councils and businesses to ensure we deliver the best for our local community and for our project.”

Opening this year

Opening in late summer, the Power Station will be home to 254 residential apartments, over 100 retail shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as unique event spaces including the Chimney Lift Experience. The opening will coincide with the launch of the new high street, Electric Boulevard, which will offer a mix of office space, shops, bars and restaurants, a 164-room hotel, a park and a community centre.

Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station, is already home to 1,500 residents and more than 20 bars, restaurants, cafés, fitness and leisure offerings including Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, The Turbine Theatre, Black Sheep Coffee, Boom Cycle and Archlight Cinema. The area usually welcomes over three million people on average each year with an annual events programme.

In September 2021, the Northern line was extended with a new Zone 1 London Underground station at Battersea Power Station, bringing it within 15 minutes of the West End and the City. The Power Station is expected to draw visitors from across the capital and the globe, becoming one of London’s most visited destinations, boosting the local economy and creating over 20,000 jobs.

The project is currently recruiting for roles in property management and security, as well as looking for more apprentices to work across the active construction sites on the 42-acre development. Find out more about current opportunities at Battersea Power Station.

More information about Battersea Power Station