Dan Hutchinson, Vice President HR, UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric

  Posted by: user_amy      13th August 2026

With A Level results announced this morning and a record number of students securing places on engineering and technology courses, Dan Hutchinson, Vice President of HR, UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, shares his thoughts on the many routes into industry available to young people today:

“A Level results day is a significant milestone for young people and their families. While it can feel defining in the moment, it is only one step in a much longer career journey.

“University remains an excellent route into work, but it is not the only one. As the UK accelerates its energy transition and digital infrastructure ambitions, employers need people with a wide range of technical, practical and transferable skills.

“Businesses have a responsibility to help young people understand the full range of opportunities available to them. Apprenticeships, vocational pathways and employer-led learning all play an important role in building the workforce the UK needs for the future.

“At Schneider Electric, we’ve seen the value of combining structured learning with hands-on experience. Through our apprenticeship programmes, including at our manufacturing site in Scarborough, young people gain real-world skills while contributing to projects that support the UK’s energy and industrial ambitions.

“Whatever their results, young people should remember that careers are built over time. Success comes from curiosity, resilience, continuous learning and the willingness to seize opportunities when they arise.”