‘Speed networking’ set to inspire young engineers of the future

Young engineers of the future will be inspired by a series of events being held by the country’s largest electricity distributor – including a webinar that is open to any primary school in the UK.

Designed to encourage new talent, the events take place across National Careers Week (6-11 March) and British Science Week (10-19 March).

A Powerful Futures event will be held at Harlow Library on March 10 where 60 local Year 10 pupils will take part in an all-day event which will include presentations, a Q&A panel and a speed networking session.  Students will have the opportunity to find out more about the electricity industry and get to meet some of the people involved with safely delivering their power. During a speed networking session they will move around the room in groups to talk to UK Power Networks employees, finding out about a range of roles and their career journeys.

Still encouraging new talent, the company will host a webinar for Key Stage 2 primary school students from across the country on March 15. The theme is Connections and UK Power Networks staff from the company’s London headquarters will be talking about how they keep communities connected with their electricity network. It will include what the electricity industry could look like in the future. The webinar is open to any primary school in the UK and teachers can register by emailing [email protected].

On March 8 60 young girls from London schools will be welcomed into the company’s HQ at Southwark for International Women’s Day. Sophie Motte, head of Asset Strategy will be opening the event, as an opportunity for pupils to meet female employees at all stages of their careers and find out more about their roles and the types of skills needed to be successful in their field. Women involved in all aspects of the company from engineers working out in the field, to designing and managing projects, will be part of the day.

UK Power Networks recently launched a new Digital Academy in February with up to 400 spaces available over five years for employees including new recruits, on 20 new apprenticeship courses focused on digital and technology skills.

The company is a founding member of the Levelling Up Purpose Coalition, sixth on the UK Inclusive Companies list as well as one of only 6% of companies worldwide to achieve Platinum Investor in People status.