E.ON Apprentices, and brothers, Harry and Dan return to Bilborough College to inspire future talent

Brothers Harry and Dan both studied at Bilborough College before joining E.ON as degree apprentices in digital technology, starting their careers in different years but following a similar path.
Here, they share what college was like, how they decided on a degree apprenticeship, what surprised them most about working at E.ON, and what they’d say to students who are now in the same position they once were.

Take us back to your time at Bilborough College. What were you studying, and what do you remember most about being a student there?

Harry:

 My time at college felt quite unique because I went to Bilborough on my own while most of my school year stayed at sixth form. I saw it as an opportunity to push myself and ended up speaking to lots of different people and finding my way into loads of different friend groups. That’s probably what I remember most — it really helped me grow in confidence and made the experience enjoyable.

Like Dan, I studied Maths, Physics and Computer Science over the two years. I also started with Biology but later dropped it when I realised it wasn’t quite for me.

 

Dan: At Bilborough College I studied Maths, Physics and Computer Science, as well as an AS Level in Further Maths. What stood out most for me was the level of respect between students and teachers. We were treated like adults rather than kids in a classroom, which created a really professional learning environment. That mutual respect helped me mature a lot and made the transition into a corporate role feel much smoother when I eventually joined E.ON.

“Seeing former students like Harry and Dan go back to Bilborough College, representing E.ON’s apprenticeship programmes and speaking so honestly about their journeys, is incredibly powerful for attracting future talent,” says Naomi Furlonger, Early Careers Talent Consultant at E.ON and Employer Advisor at Bilborough College. “It helps students understand that there are strong alternatives to the traditional university route and that degree apprenticeships can offer both real-world experience and long-term career progression.”

What first made you consider a degree apprenticeship, and how did the college and E.ON’s early careers support influence that decision?

Harry: I always knew I wanted to get a degree, so for me the choice was between university and a degree apprenticeship. A degree apprenticeship was always my priority because in digital technology, work experience is incredibly valuable.

I was lucky to have companies nearby offering the kind of roles I was interested in, but E.ON stood out because of the early careers team coming into Bilborough regularly. Those sessions helped me understand the company’s values and see myself working there. Seeing the positive impact the apprenticeship had on Dan definitely influenced me too — he became a bit of a walking advertisement for it.

Dan:

When I was at Bilborough, there was much more focus on the university route, with the occasional session on degree apprenticeships. I’m really glad the college invested more into supporting apprenticeships because it opens up so many opportunities for students.

I knew that the way I learned didn’t suit sitting in classrooms all the time. I enjoyed learning, but more through being challenged and figuring things out myself. I’d ask for the hardest problems and work at them until I cracked them. A degree apprenticeship fitted that style perfectly. On top of that, the idea of getting paid to do a degree and avoiding student debt felt almost too good to be true — but it’s genuinely a huge benefit.

 

You both joined the business in different years. How similar or different were your journeys into your roles? Did you share any advice between yourselves?

Harry: Dan and I definitely found our interest in technology in different ways. For me, it started with learning C# through Unity in my own time and creating small games. Being able to play something I’d built myself was really satisfying and helped drive my interest in digital technology.
When it came to applying to E.ON, it helped massively having someone close who had just been through the process. I always did the application myself first, then asked Dan for feedback afterwards. That way I knew I was earning my place, but also getting honest advice to help me improve.

Dan: As much as Harry might not like to admit it, we followed pretty similar A-level routes, but our interest in tech came from different places. Mine started from being the go-to person for tech support when I was younger, learning how to set up servers for gaming, editing photos and videos, and eventually building my own PC from parts I researched myself.

As the older brother, I’d come home and talk about what I was doing at work, which probably influenced Harry more than he’d admit. When it came to his application and interview, I reviewed his answers and presentation and gave him pointers, but the rest was down to him. He smashed it on his own, and now there’s some healthy competition between us at E.ON.

What have been the biggest surprises or learning moments since starting your degree apprenticeships?

Harry: One of the biggest surprises for me was how flexible and supportive E.ON is. I expected a large company to feel very formal and corporate, but people are really understanding and approachable. They recognise that we’re young and at a stage in life where challenges come up, and they offer a lot of support to help us through that.

Another big learning curve has been realising how strict university can be compared to work. Managing deadlines, workload and independent study alongside a full-time role is challenging, but E.ON’s flexibility makes it much easier to manage when you’re honest about what you need support with.

Dan: The biggest surprise for me was how welcoming everyone was from day one. The whole cohort was encouraged to meet people across the business, which made settling in much easier. The level of support is huge — there’s always someone you can go to for help.

It’s also been a big learning moment realising that, even as apprentices, we’re involved in major projects that contribute to E.ON’s net zero targets. Being trusted with that responsibility early on makes you feel like you’re genuinely making a difference

Coming back to Bilborough College now, how does it feel to be on the other side — as former students encouraging the next generation?

Harry: The first time I came back to Bilborough with E.ON felt strange, but in a good way. It didn’t feel like the same place because I wasn’t there as a student anymore — I was seeing it from a completely different perspective.

It’s nice being able to be honest with students about what it’s really like and knowing exactly how they’re feeling because I was in their position not long ago. Being able to help them think about their next steps is something I’m really grateful for.

Dan: I love going back to Bilborough and I’m really pleased E.ON has such a strong relationship with the college. It’s great seeing my old teachers and being able to relate to the students because I’m not that much older than them.

There’s definitely a different level of professionalism when you go back in a work capacity, but I think that actually helps students take the sessions seriously. It’s encouraging to see how interested they are in apprenticeships and that our sessions are often the first to fill up.

If you could tell your younger self one thing while you were still at college, what would it be?

Harry: Enjoy what you have while you’re there, but don’t be afraid of leaving and moving on. The next stage of your life will feel different, but you’ll still be happy. Keep working hard — you’ll be thankful you did!

Dan: It’s good to have goals, but it’s just as important to know what works for you. If I’d gone to university, I probably would have dropped out and that’s okay to admit. Put yourself out there, take opportunities when they come, and don’t feel like you have to follow the default route for success.

Finding your path, your way

Harry and Dan’s stories highlight that there’s no single “right” route after college, only the route that suits you best. At E.ON, we fully believe that with support from colleges, employer advisors and early careers teams, students can explore options that combine learning with real-world experience.

Whether it’s a degree apprenticeship or another path entirely, taking the time to understand how you learn and what motivates you can make all the difference in shaping a career you’re excited about.