From green skills to inspiring future generations: how Declan is helping shape a new energy world

We’re so proud of our employees for helping us create the UK’s best place to work for young people.  This kind of recognition doesn’t happen without taking the time to listen to and understand the experiences of those joining our company and beginning their green careers.

As we continue to build the talented green workforce needed to deliver the transition to cleaner energy, we spoke to Declan Carr, aged 21, about how he’s finding the final year of his Supply Chain degree apprenticeship and his advice for others.

Declan is studying for a Supply Chain Leadership Professional degree at the Leeds Trinity University and The Supply Chain Academy. And he’s managing to combine his passions outside of work with his career, honing skills that will enhance his abilities now and into the future.

Here's what he had to say.

Why did you choose E.ON?

"Choosing E.ON was a no-brainer for me. Working for an international company like E.ON meant I could gain a wide range of experiences across different areas. Plus, the energy industry is both fascinating and stable, making it a great place to kickstart my career.

“I've had the chance to work with various teams throughout my apprenticeship. For instance, I was part of the B2B Solutions team, working on the Queens Medical Centre sustainability project. I also worked with the Assets and Logistics team, focusing on maximising efficiencies for our smart metering and sustainable solutions teams. In the Supply Chain Indirects team, I managed contracts in consultancy, technology, and customer operations, including running a competitive tender for email encryption software to ensure our customers' data remains secure. And right now, I'm in my final placement with the City Energy Solutions and Generation team, primarily focusing on services across E.ON's power generation and heat network sites."

Why did you choose a degree apprenticeship?

“I chose the degree apprenticeship route after researching my options online - they were not very common in my hometown and I was the first person from my college to get onto a degree apprenticeship scheme. Supply chain opportunities caught my eye, and the idea of strategy, negotiation, and the delivery of goods sounded exciting.  it's an incredibly varied role with many different areas to explore.

“I've worked on some fantastic projects and developed my business knowledge more than I sometimes realise. The community spirit of the degree apprenticeship scheme and being trusted to deliver impactful projects are standout moments for me."

What have been the main challenges so far?

"It's definitely hard work, and the company is huge and complex, which can make understanding processes and different teams a bit challenging. Balancing university, work, and outside commitments is a lot, and I don't have a secret to managing this other than prioritising, setting deadlines and learning the art of saying no.

“Degree apprenticeships are tough but the ultimate career fast track, combining university and work experience while being able to make mistakes early on in your career in a safe and supported space. There's no student debt, a good salary, and a big community of degree apprentices at E.ON and I'd definitely recommend a degree apprenticeship to others."

About the need for green skills

"Globally, our need for energy is growing, and we need to tackle this by harnessing greener energy and reducing waste. Green jobs are only going to grow going forward. In my opinion, E.ON is pioneering the new energy world, covering every market with our solutions, whether public, private, industrial, or domestic.

“E.ON has so much to offer, and what better way to deliver sustainable solutions than to retrofit entire cities with them. And heat networks too are a simple yet transformative idea – simple in theory but very complicated to execute, recycling heat from the biggest producers and delivering it to residential units that need it. All of these sustainable solutions are supporting local communities with our range of social value initiatives being carried out across the country. The driving power behind achieving all of this? Our people "

Inspiring the next generation

“As part of my work at E.ON, I've visited schools to inspire the next generation about green careers and share my experiences as a degree apprentice. At Scarborough Sixth Form College, I ran sessions on degree apprenticeships, delivering presentations and answering questions. The interest from parents and students was overwhelming.

“And at Graham School in Scarborough, I took part in a 'meet the professional' session, discussing my current role in procurement and the journey to getting here. The students were very interested in the breadth of degree apprenticeships available and the steps they can take to get into similar roles.”

On life outside of E.ON

“I have a long history and passion for stage productions, assisting backstage at performances and volunteering and then being employed by the YMCA as a theatre technician before moving away to pursue my degree apprenticeship. I then became a youth ambassador for YMCA England and Wales, representing the Scarborough branch and sharing best practices nationally and globally.

“These experiences led to professional paid work in sound, lighting, and stage management. And in May this year, I joined YMCA Yorkshire Coast as a charity trustee, continuing my passion for this work outside of E.ON.

“I'm also an Army Reserve in my spare time, working alongside Army colleagues and the Police. It's hard work but very rewarding, with opportunities to get involved in various activities, from weapon handling courses to anti-terrorism exercises.

“All these roles interlink and make me more empathetic, helping me manage difficult situations and know when to stand my ground or to back down. I value all the roles I have– including my roles at E.ON; they make me who I am.”

Combining work, study and career growth

E.ON’s degree apprenticeship scheme is designed to enable people to gain valuable work experience by working full-time and earning a competitive salary, while also studying for a fully funded degree. Programmes can last four or five years, during which time apprentices will work on a number of placements across our business, linking in with apprentices’ chosen academic field and degree discipline.

For more information and to register your interest in the September 2026 degree apprenticeship intake, visit our website here.