Students from under-represented groups get ‘hands on’ work experience
Sixth-formers from under-represented communities have taken part in a two-week work experience programme with UK Power Networks.
The ‘Powering Potential’ work experience programme allowed students to gain an understanding of how the UK’s biggest distribution network operator works.
The 11 students were picked from across the areas served by the electricity firm that delivers power to 8.5 million homes and businesses across London, the South East, and the East.
The students were given the chance to take part as they come from an under-privileged socio-economic area.
To be eligible they had to be:
- From a combined family household income of less than £30,000 a year
- Entitled to free school meals
- Living, or have lived, in local authority care
- First person in their family to participate in further education
Students were put into pairs and worked at their local depot; which included sites in Peterborough, Colchester, London, Borehamwood and Gatwick.
They were given bespoke insight from experts in the field – who work across UK Power Networks.
Over the two weeks, students created a poster and a presentation for senior staff at the company, detailing what they learned.
The Powering Potential programme is just one part of UK Power Networks’ commitment to the Levelling Up Goals agenda, which is the country’s largest social mobility campaign.
UK Power Networks strives to create a level playing field for people wanting to enter the energy industry but might not have access or a traditional pathway towards it.
Yusra Batool, a student on the programme said: “With this work experience placement, I feel like I know exactly what type of career that I would want to look for. I feel like engineering is something that I want to take on and hopefully it’s electrical engineering.”
Oliver Kingman, another student, said: “I always thought I’d like to be an engineer. I think Powering Potential has helped me, as during the two weeks I’ve now been able to gain a lot of valuable connections, lots of people that can help me and offer to assist me if I ever need it in the future. There were so many opportunities, not just to talk to people or learn about their jobs at a desk, but go out on site and see things happening, things in motion and things you wouldn’t really be able to see online.”
STEM outreach and development specialist, Natasha Paramasamy, said: “This year’s cohort of Powering Potential students have shown why levelling up and our commitment to social mobility is so important. Each and every one of the students taking part has shown why we must give opportunity and access to people who do not have the traditional pathway into our industry.”
STEMpoint, who collaborated with UK Power Networks on the programme, said: “We are delighted to work alongside UK Power Networks to deliver high quality Experience Placements to students in 2024. This opportunity has enabled us to provide invaluable hands-on experience to students in their chosen STEM field.”
