Who we are
RWE npower is a dynamic, integrated energy company. Our retail business, npower, is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers; around 6 million residential consumers and businesses rely on us for electricity, gas and related services. We succeed by offering competitive prices, innovative products and excellent levels of service.

Combined with our retail strength, we have the capacity to generate over 9,000MW of electricity from a portfolio of diverse, low-cost generation assets. Our expertise in improving power station reliability, efficiency and environmental performance underpins our commercial success, and is marketed to other power plant owners and operators. Through RWE Power International, we provide specialist services spanning the full range of generation technologies, fuel sources and mining techniques, to customers in the UK and Europe.

Renewable energy
We are also leaders in the search for viable, renewable power sources. We developed the UK's first major offshore windfarm, North Hoyle, which supplies npower Juice - a pioneering electricity product resulting from a unique partnership between npower and Greenpeace. We operate hydroelectric power stations in Scotland and Wales, using advanced communications and forecasting technology to create new possibilities for one of the oldest methods of harnessing power.

We are committed to conducting our business with a sense of responsibility for the environment, our customers and for the communities in which we work. We will expect you to live up to these values.

We are committed to attracting and retaining the best, so all our graduates receive an excellent pay and benefits package which includes a competitive starting salary and “Golden Hello” payment. Your salary will be reviewed every six months throughout the training programme.

For further information and to apply online, please visit: . Alternatively, call the RWE npower recruitment line on: 01635 584144, or email: enquiry@npowergraduates.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

RWE npower is fully committed to equal opportunity, diversity and responsibility towards the environment, our customers and the communities in which we work. Appointments are made solely on the basis of individual ability.

Q2 Can you tell me more about the npower Graduate Training 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 training programme 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 five schemes on our Graduate Training Programme:

• General Business
• Finance
• Information Systems (IS)
• Commercial
• Engineering

Q3 Will you accept CVs?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept CVs - in order to apply you need to submit an application form to enable us to assess each candidate against the same criteria. The application form is also the basis for our first interview. As such, anyone submitting a CV will be asked to submit an application form.

To apply, please go to

We would encourage you to complete our online form as soon as possible, as we are holding Assessment Centres in November an filling our first vacancies before Christmas 2006.

Q4 What are the entry requirements?

Scheme		Entry Requirements
Engineering		Minimum of 2:2 (achieved or expected) in a relevant degree (mathematics, economic or financial modeling, engineering, science, metallurgy or environmental disciplines) combined with good commercial awareness, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Finance		Minimum 2:1 degree (achieved or expected) or above in any discipline, or a 2:2 with a post-graduate qualification. You should also be commercially aware, have good team working skills and the ability to apply your financial expertise creatively - to the challenges of business in the “real world”
Commercial Scheme		Minimum 2.1 or above in a numerate/analytical degree, or 2.2 with a post-graduate qualification.
IS Scheme		Minimum 2:1 in a computer related degree (design, info systems) or a 2.2 with a post-grad
General Business Scheme		Minimum 2:1 degree or above in any discipline, or 2:2 with post grad qualification, together with strong commercial instincts and clear leadership potential.

Please note that we do not stipulate any minimum UCAS points for any schemes.

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.

Q6 What is the recruitment process?
Application Form - Once you have submitted your application form we will contact you via email to inform you whether or not we will be progressing your application to the next stage of our selection process.

Ability Testing - If you pass the initial screening, we will ask you to complete online tests. You will be required to complete both a numerical and verbal reasoning test if you are applying to the General Business, Finance, IS and Commercial schemes. Those applying to the Engineering Scheme will only need to complete a numerical reasoning test.

Telephone Interview - If you pass the application screening and ability tests we will invite you to undertake a telephone interview.

Assessment Centre - If you pass the telephone interview, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. Those applying to the General Business, Finance, IS and Commercial schemes will be invited to attend a 1-day assessment centre, whilst those applying to the Engineering scheme will attend a 3-day assessment centre.

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. Guidance on what we deem to be 'reasonable' expenses will be given to any candidates invited to assessment centres.

Q8 What is the benefits package?
As well as a competitive Graduate Starting salary of £23,000 you can expect:

• Up to 5% Salary increase reviewed every six months whilst on the programme measured on performance
• £2,000 “Golden Hello” to cover expenses
• 25 days holiday per year
• Opportunity to participate in share save scheme

Q9 I am disabled, can I still apply?
Yes, of course. RWE npower welcomes applications for our Graduate Development Programme 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.

Q10 Where will I be based?
Typically Graduate Trainees could start in any of our locations including:

• Worcester (Residential Head Office)
• Oldbury (B2B Head Office)
• Swindon
• Newcastle

But, depending on the career route you select, you could be based at any of our sites, or working between a number of these, which is why geographical mobility is key!

Q11 Will I be able to work abroad on the Programme?
We cannot guarantee overseas travel whilst on the Graduate Development Programme but it can happen. In the past graduate trainees have worked abroad. Language ability will help secure opportunities sooner rather than later - 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.

Q12 I don't have a UK work permit, can I still apply?
Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require a work permit for the UK to join our UK-based Graduate Development Programme 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, we are increasingly looking to recruit graduates to be based outside the UK so keep your eye out for overseas opportunities being advertised. Candidates who hold an EU passport are permitted to work in the UK and we welcome their applications.

Q13 What Events are coming up?

Jun-07

Summer Guardian Fair

London

Q14 Can you tell me more about npower?
RWE npower is one of the UK's leading integrated energy companies. We operate and maintain one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of power generating plant in the UK, including large coal, oil and gas-fired power stations, cogeneration plant and renewables facilities such as wind farms and small-scale hydroelectric power stations. At the other end of the supply chain, we have a leading energy retail business - npower - which supplies electricity and gas, as well as other essential home and business services, to around six million customers.

You can find out more by visiting our main corporate site at