Northumbrian Water has teamed up with the Government-backed “Your Life” campaign to host school trips to open up the world of work to more than 100 young people from several schools in the North East.
The campaign aims to increase the numbers of students studying Maths and Physics at A Level.
The initiative, part of the ‘Best School Trip’ initiative, is carried out by Your Life’s delivery partner MyKindaFuture.
The first trip took place with three schools: St Aidan’s Catholic Academy (Sunderland), Bishop Barrington School (Bishop Auckland) and Durham Community Business College for Technology and Enterprise.
Students were given the opportunity to see behind the scenes at the water company’s Howdon site. They saw first-hand how power is generated using poo and the gas produced is directly injected into the national grid and used by the public to heat homes and cook their meals.
They also saw one of the company’s laboratories where hundreds of drinking water samples are tested every day to ensure we provide excellent quality drinking water.
A survey carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Your Life, shows that more than 50% of teenagers across the country have never had any interaction with a STEM employer. Research indicates this could have a detrimental impact on their likelihood of their going into associated professions.
Your Life launched the ‘Best School Trip’ initiative to help hundreds of businesses across the UK to open their doors and offer inspirational trips to young people. They offer first-hand experience of the STEM career possibilities available in their local area and offer businesses the chance to meet their future workforce. Following Your Life’s Best School Trips, 84% of students say they would now consider Maths and 74% Physics.
Sophie Pickup, Learning and Development Manager for Northumbrian Water, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting the Best School Trips. As a member of the Energy and Utilities Partnership we know how important it is to show students the wide range of careers on offer in companies such as ours.
“We’re looking forward to meeting pupils from local schools and helping them to understand how their skills and passion for STEM can shape them into motivated, inspired and driven members of our team. This way, we can help them realise their full potential.”
Toby Hicks, Your Life Communications Director, said: “Seeing the world of work at first hand can have a transformational impact on the life chances of young people. Research shows that the more students are introduced to work at school, the more prepared they are for adult working life. We are delighted to work with Northumbrian Water to help open up the world of work for young people.”
William Akerman, Founder and MD of MyKindaFuture added: “We are thrilled at the success of Best School Trips. Students attending the days see how an industry works and are taking that important step into the employer’s space. The MyKindaFuture team love delivering the days on behalf of Your Life and seeing the passion from both the students and employees; this really makes the day worthwhile.
“We are delighted to be working with Northumbrian Water to not only showcase the water industry, but also highlighting the different career routes available to young people from graduate schemes through to apprenticeships.”
For further media information, call Judith Huffee on 0191 3015678.
Your Life is a three-year campaign to ensure the UK has the Maths and Physics skills it needs to succeed in today’s competitive global economy. The Your Life campaign prioritises offering experiences and information to enable young people to make informed subject choices post-16, inspiring them to study Maths and Physics as a gateway to wide-ranging careers whilst also triggering employers to recruit and retain that talent. For more information visit www.yourlife.org.uk.
About MyKindaFuture
MyKindaFuture is the biggest emerging talent specialist in the UK. They help employers reach the next generation of talent from school leavers to graduates, and recruit them on to work experience, internship, apprenticeship and graduate programmes. MyKindaFuture use a mix of face-to-face workshops, online challenges and rich video content in partnership with over 70 UK businesses. MyKindaFuture work with over 5,200 schools and have societies in over 40 University campuses. Trusted by students and educators alike, with over 32 years’ experience working with young people and their influencers. www.mykindafuture.com
For further media information, call 0191 3015678.
Northumbrian Water Limited supplies 2.7 million customer in the North East with both water and sewerage services, trading as Northumbrian Water, and 1.8 million customers in the South East with water services, trading as Essex & Suffolk Water.
In the most recent survey by the Consumer Council for Water, Northumbrian Water was named the UK’s most trusted water company by its customers, while 2017/2018 customer satisfaction scores placed the company in joint first place. 2017 also saw Northumbrian Water named the world’s most ethical water company for the seventh successive year.