25 January 2011 14:50
E.ON helps develop the local engineering talent of tomorrow

Students from two West Midlands schools have been brushing up their business skills and helping to promote engineering apprenticeships at E.ON's Engineering Academy in Tipton.

Holly Hall School, in Dudley, and Wednesfield High school in Wolverhampton have been working with E.ON since December 2009 on a pilot scheme, to help students understand more about the job opportunities right on their doorstep and the apprenticeship schemes open to them.

Martin Carter, Head of the Engineering Academy, said: "We're really proud to have been working alongside these two local schools for the past year. It can often be hard for students to understand how their studies fit in to the business world and the role that they might play in it, which is why schemes like this are so important."

Students have participated in a number of activities, including the development of a short film about E.ON. The film provides a snapshot of E.ON and its apprenticeship schemes, and includes a series of interviews with existing E.ON employees.

Martin said: "The film is really interesting and gives a fresh look at E.ON and our training schemes from the student's perspectives. Not only has this helped students delve a little deeper into what we do as a business but it's done in a fun and engaging way.

"It's a film by young people for young people and, ultimately we hope that more students will consider a career in the energy industry or even an apprenticeship after seeing it."

Designed to work alongside the schools' educational programmes, students are able to learn more about energy and the skills required to work in the sector, while also having fun.

Graham Lloyd, from Holly Hall School, said: "Working with E.ON has been a fantastic opportunity for our students.  Learning and working in a business environment has provided invaluable insights into the world of work.  E.ON is a huge multinational company at the cutting edge of dealing with many of the problems which face our world, and the experience of partnership working and collaboration has been mutually beneficial.

"The focus on STEM subjects and the wide variety of activities provided for students across the age and ability range has been a truly enriching experience."

Matt Smallwood, Director of Engineering at Wednesfield High School, said: "Working with E.ON enables us to address the issues of dialogue between education and business, to ensure the skills that are taught in schools are appropriate to the demands of industry. From a school's perspective it enables us to contextualise our learning programmes, bringing real life issues and problems that industry face into the curriculum, and therefore preparing young people to face the real issues of the outside world."

In 2010, the E.ON Engineering Academy delivered over 58,000 delegate days for craftsmen and apprentices as well as external firms. The three academies, based in Tipton, Castle Donington and Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire, continue to lead the way in the development of new skills programmes and qualifications alongside other leading industry bodies such as the National Skills Academy for Power. 

Martin said: "The Government is looking at investing in new ways to develop the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians here in the UK, through its STEM programme. E.ON's work with local schools is just one way that businesses and education can work hand in hand to help develop the workforce of the future." 

You can see the film at the E.ON Talking Energy YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Mb4MAzH-M

Ends

Notes to editors

• E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. We employ more than 15,000 people in the UK and more than 88,000 worldwide;
• E.ON's retail business is a leading energy supplier in the UK with around 5.3 million electricity and gas customers, covering domestic, SME and industrial. E.ON also offers central heating and boiler care;
• Our distribution business, branded Central Networks, provides a reliable supply to around 10 million people in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than three times - and via almost 94,000 substations. The company covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast;
• The generation business produces enough electricity to cater for the needs of around eight million homes from a portfolio of world-class gas-, coal- and oil-fired power stations;

For more information contact:

Rebecca Mara on 02476 183 679

Select E.ON UK images, are available free of charge to the media by registering at http://www.newscast.co.uk/