French utility group Electricite de France SA or EDF (EDFEF.PK) on Thursday said it will recruit around 6000 people in 2013, including more than 1,700 engineers / managers to support its development and future challenges.
In a different development, EDF is likely to hold talks with the French government about compensation for the planned shutdown of the utility's oldest nuclear plant Fessenheim, Bloomberg reported, citing Chief Executive Officer Henri Proglio.
EDF said it has been continuing its dynamic renewal of skills initiated in 2008, through graduate recruitment as well as apprenticeship. The company finds this dynamics essential to support its development and future challenges in the fields of production, transmission and distribution of electricity. In the three years ending 2013, the company's total recruitment would be nearly 18,000 new employees in France.
Hydro, nuclear and renewable energies represent the majority of recruitment, driven by the needs of nuclear power. According to the company, electricians, engineers and operating technicians, maintenance and mechanical valve / boiler or automation are among the most popular. EDF said the recruitment in the production sector would more than doubled in five years to 3000 recruitment in 2012 from 900 in 2008.
The EDF recruits are located throughout all French regions. These jobs, all in permanent contracts, are accompanied by a real political skill development through vocational training and lift social asset, EDF said.
Regarding the talks with French Government, Proglio, in an interview on RTL radio said, "Discussions will be started with the government. I am responsible for a company so I am responsible vis a vis my investors to defend the interests of the company. That's legitimate."
Earlier on September 14, French President Francois Hollande said Fessenheim will be shut at the end of 2016, marking the first step in his bid to reduce the nation's reliance on atomic power.
France holds 84 percent of EDF that owns the country's 58 working nuclear reactors. The company is also developing a new one in Flamanville in Normandy. As per reports, Proglio wants to extend the lifetime of EDF's reactors to as much as 60 years. But, with Hollande's policy, that strategy would need to be revised.
In France, EDF shares are currently trading at 16.64 euros, down 0.18 euros or 1.07 percent.
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