E.ON hosts Teacher Encounter Day to empower educators and inspire STEM futures

That’s why we were proud to welcome secondary school teachers from across the region to a tailored Teacher Encounter Day: an immersive event designed to connect classroom learning with real-world STEM careers.

Held at our E.ON office in Nottingham, the day offered a powerful insight into the exciting and evolving world of energy, engineering, and technology. From exploring pathways into E.ON to hearing first-hand experiences from our apprentices, the agenda was packed with opportunities to inspire and inform.

Bridging the gap between classrooms and careers

Teachers delved into the breadth of STEM careers available at E.ON, including roles in engineering, data science, energy solutions and customer operations.

One of the most impactful sessions explored pathways into E.ON, highlighting not just traditional university routes but the increasingly vital role of degree apprenticeships and alternative qualifications. Our current E.ON apprentices joined for an engaging Q&A, offering authentic insights into life as a young professional and the realities of balancing study with real-world work experience.

“I had a great morning and came back to school feeling well informed. I had a fantastic and inspiring morning at E.ON for the Teacher Encounter Day. The women leading the event were incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and happy to answer every question. One of the real highlights was meeting the apprentices themselves — hearing their stories and being able to ask them questions was absolutely invaluable. I came away feeling so much more informed about the degree apprenticeship programmes and excited about how I can support students through their application journeys." - Teacher in attendance.

Equipping teachers to inspire the next generation

A key aim of the day was to empower teachers to return to their classrooms with a richer understanding of the opportunities available to their students. By showcasing how subjects like maths, physics and IT apply directly to roles in energy and technology, we helped teachers draw clear, tangible links between curriculum learning and career outcomes.

This is especially important as we work together to tackle the green skills shortages facing the UK’s engineering and technology sectors. Engineering and tech roles are projected to grow faster than any other occupational group between now and 2030. Yet today, too many students still don’t see themselves represented in these roles.

That’s why our approach to careers outreach is:

• Inclusive – showing all students, regardless of background or gender, that they have a place in STEM.
• Integrated – clearly connecting school subjects to career pathways.
• Experiential – offering meaningful employer encounters and real-world exposure.

Listening and learning from the classroom

One of the most valuable parts of the day was hearing directly from teachers about the challenges they face in guiding students through an increasingly complex careers landscape. Through open discussion, we gained insights into the support schools need — from better access to information on apprenticeships to clearer examples of how classroom content links to future jobs.

Jane Branscombe, Early Careers Talent Consultant, E.ON said: “Our Teacher Encounter Days are all about building stronger connections between education and the world of work. By helping teachers understand the real opportunities available in STEM, we’re empowering them to guide and inspire the next generation to explore careers they might never have considered.”

These conversations are essential to improving our outreach. By understanding what works — and where the gaps are — we can tailor our school engagement activities to be more impactful, more relevant, and more aligned to what students really need.

Looking ahead

As the event wrapped up, educators left with actionable insights, new connections, and a renewed sense of confidence in guiding students toward fulfilling, futureproof careers. Our hope is that these teachers are now even better equipped to:

• Discuss a wide range of STEM career paths with students
• Promote apprenticeships as alternatives to higher education
• Help students make informed, ambitious decisions about their futures
• Bring back real stories and practical advice from our apprentices to inspire pupils

We are immensely proud of the energy, ideas, and passion shared throughout the day — and look forward to building on these partnerships to shape a brighter, greener, and more inclusive future for all.

To find out more about careers at E.ON visit eon-uk-careers.com.