A COLLEGE in Reading teamed up with a major energy supplier in a bid to help understanding of Net Zero targets and sustainability.
University Technical College (UTC) Reading joined forces with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) for a school takeover event.
School Takeover Day – Transition to Net Zero saw 75 students take part in sessions examining real-world project briefs, develop their employability skills, and explore what careers are available to them in the provider’s network.
Groups of five students from Year 12 were tasked with producing presentations about how Net Zero targets impact an electricity network as well as showing a more general understanding the causes of global heating and how to combat it.
Following exceptional presentations, SSEN decided that two teams would take the top spot: Faris, Mikael, Johaan, Partha, Edward and Muthaira for their Blockchain-based energy trading platform, and Thomas, Euan, Ella and Grzegorz who came up with the idea for an energy consumption monitoring app.
The winners were invited to attend SSEN’s distribution executive committee meeting where they will present their ideas to the board.
UTC Reading’s Assistant Head Teacher, Stephanie Mitchell added: “It was fantastic to have so many SSE volunteers onsite working with our Year 12 students.
“Days like this really help to bridge the gap between industry and education and are the reason that UTC’s exist.
“Not only did the students learn a lot about the transition to Net Zero, they learnt essential employability skills for their futures– a big thank you to SSEN for supporting our students.”
SSEN’s Eliane Algaard said that the event: “has provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical experience, enhance their employability skills, and develop a better understanding of the types of careers they can work;
She explained that these were roles that will “help us all meet our net zero goals through an electricity infrastructure fit for the future.
“It’s been a joy to work with these young people – to see the passion they have for making change and bringing innovative ideas for the development of our Net Zero network to life through their excellent presentations.
“I believe this kind of event is instrumental in preparing students for careers in industries, such as SSEN, that are actively working towards achieving Net Zero.”
Information about SSEN’s Net Zero operations and smarter electricity systems is available via: ssen.co.uk/about-ssen.
