Dogger Bank Wind Farm has reached a major milestone after it was revealed that its STEM Careers programme has supported more than 10,000 South Tyneside youngsters over the past five years.
Equinor, SSE and Vårgrønn, the companies behind the world’s largest offshore wind farm, made a commitment in 2021 to ensure the benefits of the development were felt in communities across the North East and Yorkshire.
Central to the commitment was its STEM Careers programme, a series of engagement and outreach initiatives designed to provide young people across the region with the confidence and skills required to become work ready and embrace the careers of tomorrow.
South Tyneside is one of three areas to have benefited from the STEM Careers programme, with staff from Dogger Bank Wind Farm working alongside partners including South Tyneside Council and Young Enterprise to support school children across the borough.
This has included working with local schools to deliver a range of initiatives, including female leadership programmes, careers fairs, work experience placements, digital skills training, transport bursaries and its award-winning little inventors programme.
The 10,000milestone was reached during a three-week programme of events held in schools and community hubs across the borough as part of its Future Ready Pilot, which is taking place from 29 June – 16 July and aims to ensure those young people who’ve been unable to secure vital work experience the opportunity to experience meaningful careers related opportunities.
Students from Jarrow School were among those to participate in a Young Enterprise session as part of their work experience programme. The session was supported by representatives from Arriva and the Cabinet Office who helped to offer a valuable insight into enterprise and the world of work.
Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“Reaching more than 10,000 young people is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the strength of our partnerships. We’re proud to support young people across South Tyneside in building the confidence and skills they need for the future.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has committed to investing over £25million in communities across the North and North East of England throughout the operational phase of the wind farm, with South Tyneside youngsters set to benefit for at least another 30 years.
Alex Whelan, Economic Inclusion and Career Development Coordinator at South Tyneside Council, said:
“It is tremendous to see so many young people benefiting from the support programmes being delivered by the Dogger Bank Wind Farm team across the borough.
“By providing our young people with the confidence and skills required to enter the world of work, it is not only helping transform lives but is also ensuring our region’s businesses have a pipeline of talented youngsters coming through to fill the roles of tomorrow.
“We are delighted to have supported the efforts of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm team and welcome their continued investment in communities across the borough long into the future.”
One of the schools to have benefited from the STEM Careers programme is Jarrow School. Careers Adviser Charlotte Ridley said:
Charlotte Ridley, careers advisor at Jarrow school, said:
“We would like to give our sincere thanks to the Dogger Bank Community Fund for providing the funding required for Young Enterprise to deliver their launchpad programme and work with our year 10 students. The project has enabled them to develop key enterprise skills and will hopefully stand them in great stead as they progress in each of their chosen careers upon leaving school.”
As part of South Tyneside Council’s Building a Stronger South Tyneside campaign, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will host a dedicated employer session in September. Community Investment Manager Kay Doragh will showcase the impact of the wind farm’s STEM Careers programme and share practical examples of how businesses can engage with schools and young people.
For more information about Dogger Bank Wind Farm, visit: https://doggerbank.com/
