Northumbrian Water has teamed up with the Government-backed “Your Life” campaign to give three Stockton schools the chance to take part in the ‘Best School Trip’ initiative.
The partnership is hosting school trips to open up the world of work to over 100 young people from schools in the North East. The campaign aims to increase the numbers of students studying Maths and Physics at A Level.
Students from Northfield School and Sports College, The Grangefield Academy and Thornaby Academy were the first to attend a visit to Northumbrian Water’s Bran Sands site. They were given an insight into how the plant not only treats sewage from homes and businesses across the Tees Valley, but also creates “power from poo”.
The initiative, part of the ‘Best School Trip’ initiative, is carried out by Your Life’s delivery partner MyKindaFuture.
Students saw first-hand how power is generated using poo, with gas produced that is directly injected into the national grid and used by the public to heat homes and cook their meals.
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 the 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. The organisation offers first-hand experience of the STEM career possibilities available in the local area and offers businesses the chance to meet their future workforce. Following Your Life’s Best School Trips, 84% of students say they would now consider maths-based career prospects, with 74% showing interest in potentially pursuing 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.”