Welcome

Faqs

Q1 How many graduates are you recruiting for 2007?
Q2 Can you tell me more about the npower graduate training programme?
Q3 Will you accept CVs?
Q4 What are the entry requirements?
Q5 I have applied to npower before, can I re-apply?
Q6 What is the recruitment process?
Q7 Do you reimburse travel expenses for assessment centres?
Q8 What is the benefits package?
Q9 I am disabled, can I still apply?
Q10 Where will I be based?
Q11 Will I be able to work abroad on the graduate programme?
Q12 I don't have a UK work permit, can I still apply?
Q13 What Events are coming up?
Q14 Can you tell me more about npower?
Q15 Can international graduates apply to the graduate schemes?

Q1 How many graduates are you recruiting for 2007?

We are looking to recruit approximately 59 graduates in 2008, divided across each of the following business areas: Commercial Business, Finance, Information Systems - RWE Systems, Business Analyst, Engineering/Science/Maths

OUR FIRST CUT OFF DATE FOR THE RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS TO OUR GRADUATE SCHEMES IS 16th NOVEMBER 2007. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY THIS DATE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR OUR EARLIEST ASSESSMENT CENTRES. OUR FINAL CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS THE 31ST JANUARY 2008.

Quantitative Risk Programme is aimed at experienced graduates with a Quantitaive post-graduate level qualification and we are looking to recruit 6 people onto this Programme.

To maintain our position as a leading player in the UK market, we are always looking for high calibre graduates from a range of disciplines who will help drive our business forward. If you join us, you'll enter a graduate scheme designed around your own aspirations, talents and potential to succeed. It creates the perfect framework to enable you to grow. We recruit into the following schemes:

Commercial Business
Finance
Information Systems – RWE Systems
Business Analyst
Engineering/Science/Maths

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Q3 Will you accept CVs?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept CVs. Instead, you need to submit an application form so we can assess each candidate against the same criteria. To apply, please go to the "Apply / Login" page. We would encourage you to complete our online form as soon as possible, as we are holding Assessment Centres in November, December, January & February and we will fill our first vacancies before Christmas 2007 and intend to complete our recruitment process by March 2008.

Q4 What are the entry requirements?

For our Commercial Business, Finance and Business Analyst Graduate Schemes we require all applicants to have obtained BBC grades or above at A-level or equivalent.

For our Engineering/Science/Maths Graduate Scheme we require all applicants to have obtained CCC grades or above at A-level or equivalent.

Scheme	Entry requirements
Engineering	Minimum of 2:2 (achieved or expected) in a relevant degree (Engineering, metallurgy or science discipline) combined with good commercial awareness, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Finance	2:1 degree or better in any subject and an enthusiastic and driven approach. You should be commercially aware, with good numeracy and analytical skills, as well as the ability to apply your financial expertise to the challenges of business in the real world.
Business Analyst	2:1 or above in a numerate/analytical degree, or a 2:2 with a post-grad qualification. You’ll also need to have good attention to detail, and the ability to handle complex issues in a strategic context. And you’ll be hungry to learn and willing to take on all the responsibility we can throw at you.
Information Systems – RWE Systems	2:1 or above, and be a good team player, with great communication skills and a real passion for IT.
Commercial Business	2:1 degree or better in any discipline, or a 2:2 with a post-grad qualification. You’ll also need to demonstrate strong commercial instincts and clear leadership potential, as well as good interpersonal skills and a real sense of team spirit.
Quantitative Risk Programme	We’re looking for people who’ve completed a post-graduate degree in a relevant quantitative discipline, such as Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering or Energy Markets. You’ll be highly numerate and adept at problem solving, and you’ll ideally bring relevant commercial experience obtained via an internship, or similar. And you’ll have a strong interest in applying your academic skills in an industrial field.

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Q5 I have applied to npower before, can I re-apply?

Yes, you are welcome to re-apply although we cannot guarantee you'll make it to the same stage as before as this will depend on the quality and quantity of other candidates applying.

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Q6 What is the recruitment process?

Application form
Once you have submitted your application form we will email you to let you know whether your application has made it through to the next stage of the selection process or not.

Ability testing
If you pass the initial screening, we'll ask you to complete some online tests. If you're applying to our Business Analyst, Finance, Engineering/Science/Maths or Information Systems Graduate Schemes we’ll ask you to complete a numerical reasoning test. If you're applying to the Commercial Business Graduate Scheme or our Quantitative Risk Programme, you will need to complete the numerical reasoning test and a verbal reasoning test.

Telephone Interview
If you pass the application screening and ability test(s), the next stage is a 45 minute telephone interview.

Assessment Centre
If you pass the telephone interview, you will be invited to attend a final stage assessment centre. An indication of the likely Assessment Centre dates for each of our Graduate Schemes is provided below:

Scheme	Date
Engineering	From late November 2007
Finance	February 2008
Information Systems	January 2008
Business Analyst	From December 2007
Commercial Business	From December 2007

We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be filling our vacancies on an ongoing basis. These are not our closing dates.

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Q7 Do you reimburse travel expenses for assessment centres?

Yes, we reimburse reasonable travel expenses for candidates attending an assessment centre (by cheque after the event). We will advise you before the event on what we regard to be 'reasonable' expenses.

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Q8 What is the benefits package?

As well as a competitive starting salary of £24,000 you can expect:

Salary reviewed annually whilst on the programme .
£2,000 "Golden Hello" to cover expenses.
25 days' holiday per year.
Opportunity to participate in share save scheme
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

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Q9 I am disabled, can I still apply?

Yes, of course. RWE npower welcomes applications for our graduate schemes from candidates who are disabled. If your disability may require reasonable adjustments or preparation to be made to any stage in our recruitment process, please contact us to discuss your needs and we will be happy to accommodate them.

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Q10 Where will I be based?

Typically graduate trainees could start in any of our locations including but not limited to:

Worcester
Oldbury
Swindon
Newcastle
Birmingham
Didcot
Tilbury
Aberthaw
Littlebrook
Glasgow

But, depending on the career route you select, you could be based at any of our sites or working between a number of them, so geographical mobility is important.

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Q11 Will I be able to work abroad on the graduate programme?

We cannot guarantee overseas travel whilst on the graduate scheme but it can happen. In the past graduate trainees have worked abroad. Language ability will you're your case, especially if you can speak German. Although we are part of an international company and there are occasionally opportunities for our graduate trainees to work abroad during or after the GDP, we do not offer positions immediately. The reason for this is that we want placements abroad to be quality experiences where graduates have the knowledge and experience to contribute and add value. You will not be able to do this without an initial grounding in the UK first.

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Q12 I don't have a UK work permit, can I still apply?

GRADUATE SCHEMES: Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require a work permit for the UK to join our UK-based graduate schemes (unless there is a specific programme on offer that you hear about through other sources (e.g. from your careers service, via your Government or direct from RWE npower Graduate Recruitment)). However, if you do not have the permanent right to work in the UK but you are looking for an opportunity within Engineering you can register your interest via our application area and we will contact you again and ask you to apply if we do not fill our vacancies.

QUANTITATIVE RISK PROGRAMME: We accept applications to this Programme from candidates who require a work permit. Please just indicate your current Immigration Status when applying.

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Q13 What Events are coming up?

Please visit the ‘Events’ page of our website for full details of the events we are attending. We look forward to meeting you!

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Q14 Can you tell me more about RWE npower?

For those of you that don’t know the first thing about us, we provide gas, electricity and related services to homes and businesses. But that's where the similarities with other energy companies end. The UK’s brightest energy company, we operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations, established the UK's first major offshore wind farm and are developing other innovative energy-related technologies.

It’s a huge operation, and running it takes over 11,500 employees at 60 sites across the UK. Together we supply 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales, making us the UK's largest electricity supplier.

As part of the RWE Group, we also offer specialist services covering every aspect of owning and operating a power plant, from construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance to eventual decommissioning. Find out more by visiting: http://www.npower.com/web/about_npower/index.htm

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Q15 Can international graduates apply to the graduate schemes?

We are now taking international students onto our graduate scheme. This applies to the civil, electrical and C&I engineering programmes only.