Building Scotland's Future Workforce: EDT and SSEN Transmission Launch Third Year of Skills Partnership
EDT is delighted to announce the extension of its partnership with SSEN Transmission for a third consecutive year, building on two years of successful collaboration that has helped inspire over 2,800 young people across Scotland.
The renewed partnership follows an impactful second year, during which EDT and SSEN Transmission engaged 1,400 young people from 46schools across the Highlands & Islands, Moray, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Argyll & Bute through a range of Industrial Cadets programmes.
Through hands-on STEM challenges, long-term project work and direct engagement with industry professionals, pupils developed key skills, gained accredited Industrial Cadets awards, and learned about subject choices and pathways that lead to exciting career opportunities within the energy sector.
Over the past year, students participated in a range of activities including virtual Primary Challenger workshops, face-to-face Secondary Challenger experiences, and Bronze and Silver Industrial Cadets projects. The programmes gave young people opportunities to explore coding, sustainability, energy transmission, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving, while working alongside mentors and volunteers from SSEN Transmission.
The partnership has been particularly valuable for young people in remote and rural communities, helping them connect with industry professionals and gain experiences that may otherwise be difficult to access.
As the partnership enters its third year, EDT and SSEN Transmission will focus on delivering virtual interactive Challenger Experiences to primary school children and Explorer Days: Girls in STEM to secondary school students. These fully immersive sessions focus on STEM learning, sector awareness and career insights.
The team will also introduce a new roadshow programme,travelling across Scotland to deliver a full-day structured project challenge where students work from concept to solution, developing technical, teamwork and problem-solving skills with support from industry mentors.
Julie Feest, CEO at EDT and Industrial Cadets added: “We are incredibly proud to be continuing our partnership with SSEN Transmission into a third year. The impact we've seen over the last two years demonstrates the importance of connecting young people with real-world STEM experiences and industry professionals. Year three brings an exciting new chapter for our collaboration, where we'll be able to reach even more communities across Scotland, ensuring that young people have the support, inspiration and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential.”
Nicky Gadsden, External Skills and STEM Engagement Manager for SSEN Transmission said: “Supporting young people in the communities we serve is an important part of our commitment to building a lasting legacy through our investment in the north of Scotland's electricity transmission network. Through our partnership with EDT, we've been able to connect thousands of pupils with engaging STEM experiences, helping them develop new skills and broaden their understanding of the opportunities available within the energy sector. We're proud to continue working together for a third year to inspire the workforce of the future.”
The continued partnership reflects both organisations' commitment to developing future talent, supporting regional communities and ensuring young people are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce.
