"As I fast approach the end of an exciting
two years here in Ofgem, I would thoroughly
recommend anyone with an interest in
regulation and energy to consider Ofgem and
the graduate programme as a serious career
option. My time here has been interesting,
challenging and rather fun too."
Siobhan Carty was attracted to Ofgem's
Graduate Management Training Programme
by its flexibility and the opportunity to work
in different parts of the organisation - "I'd
worked for year after Uni as a researcher, so
I was really keen to find a role which allowed
me to gain breadth of experience but wasn't
too restrictive".
As a graduate of University College Dublin
where Siobhan studied for an International
BA in Economics and Politics and with an
MA in Economics from the University of
Ireland, Maynooth, Siobhan was keen to put
her economics skills into practice.
"I'm currently placed in the GB markets
team, where I'm working on a high-profile
project that's looking at how competitive the
energy supply markets are. This allows me
to put into practice some of the economic
and legal skills I learned at University while
also getting a real understanding of how the
energy markets work."
Siobhan also spent six months in Offshore
Transmission. "With Berr, we're working
on a project to licence transmission owners
offshore. This involves the challenging
task of applying competitive principle to a
traditionally monopolistic regime, so I got
the opportunity to use the micro-economic
principles I learnt at Uni."
Siobhan says another highlight of her two
years with Ofgem was the three-month stint in
Brussels with CEER, the group that represents
the interests of all European regulators. "At
the heart of this is the objective to create a
common European framework for national
regulators. This was a great opportunity
to learn about the kind of energy markets
our European cousins have, and also ever
increasing impact that this has in the UK.
Of course, living in a different country at the
'heart of Europe' for three months was also
brilliant fun!
Along with Brussels, I've also been to Italy
with Ofgem where I was lucky enough to
spend two weeks at the Florence School of
Regulation which is quite prestigious and gave
me an understanding of some of the important
issues across the energy markets. I've also
done lots of other training on issues ranging
from how price controls work to how to being
an effective manager. The range of training
we're offered as graduates is a real plus"
Siobhan points out that it's not all hard
work. "The other benefits are really good too
- Ofgem's offices are based in the heart of
Westminster which is a very exciting place to
be, there are shops and bars close by and a
good social life in Ofgem. There is even a
subsidised gym on the premises."
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