SHE Transmission has given two Milburn Academy pupils a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes and to learn what’s involved in the electricity construction industry.
The VIP visits, which were part of a school work experience programme, included trips to SSE’s Glendoe power station and to the newly-extended electricity substation at Beauly. The eager pupils were given an insight into the role of a project manager and how they ensure complicated projects are delivered.
Ross Balfour and Christopher MacKinnon, both 15 years old, donned their hard hats and high visibility jackets before being guided through the facilities which are normally off limits to members of the public. Both pupils are considering a career in the Engineering sector and arrangements were made for them to spend two days with SHE Transmission Civil Engineer and Project Manager, Johannes Smit.
Johannes commented: “I was delighted to give the pupils an insight into our work and offer them the opportunity to visit two of our key sites. Ross and Christopher are interested in the industry and I hope the visits have inspired them to continue with their ambitions. I believe the experience of visiting our sites and being able to talk to engineers is significantly more interesting than examining projects at arms length through a presentation or on the internet. I wish the lads all the best and hope to see them succeed in becoming the new generation of project managers and engineers.
Ross Balfour, one of the pupils, said: “The two day visit was really interesting and now I am considering civil engineering as a potential career. I learnt a lot over the two days and as well as being given loads of information it was great to get to visit sites with an expert who can tell you what’s involved in the construction and engineering of the sites.”
The work experience visits were organised through the Highland Council Work Experience Co-ordinator for Schools and Colleges, Linda King, who commented: “It’s been fantastic to be able to give the pupils a unique opportunity to visit these sites, I am sure they will have found the experience helpful in helping to decide their future. The site visits are one of many that SSE has hosted in recent years; I firmly believe that opportunities to visit real projects and to talk to industry professionals helps inspire pupils with their upcoming career choices.”
SSE is keen to encourage new recruits to the business which already employs 20,000 staff in the UK. The school visits build on the existing work being done by SHE Transmission to encourage young people into the energy industry. SHE Transmission is working with Inverness College UHI to recruit 28 unemployed 17-24 year olds for the second year of its transmission overhead line training scheme.
If candidates are interested in joining our company, they should visit http://www.sse.com/Careers for further information.