Around 100 pupils from five schools across Perthshire visited SSE’s Training School as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (20 – 24 May).
First and second year pupils from Breadalbane Academy, Perth Academy and Kinross, Crieff and Pitlochry High Schools donned hard hats and high-visibility jackets to learn more about what’s involved in keeping the lights on.
The visits were organised by SSE to raise awareness of the opportunities available in energy and engineering, as well as the importance of selecting STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – for pupils keen to pursue an engineering career.
Gary Hamilton, SSE’s Technical Training Manager, said: “Our week-long event was organised to try and inspire the school pupils to think about engineering as a future career. The country needs 40,000 students every year to pass STEM subjects to cope with the demand for future engineering jobs.
“Scotland’s Apprenticeship Week gave SSE an excellent opportunity to support STEM and give pupils the chance to see engineering in action. They heard everything from the importance of health and safety and good customer service to practical demonstrations on the work involved with underground and overhead electricity lines.
“Events like these can really help open their eyes to a career that they may not have initially thought about.”
Last year SSE employed around 360 apprentices and trainees across Britain and Ireland.
Pictures show Perth Academy pupils at SSE’s Training Centre.