Welcoming students to Nottingham Forest City Ground to inspire the next generation about green careers
We recently held a New Energy Academy interactive event to help educate students about green skills and offer career advice.
As part of our commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to clean energy, our New Energy Academy is designed to inspire young people about the knowledge and skills they’ll need to build a brighter future for themselves and make a difference in the world.
We hosted a special New Energy Academy event at the home of our partner Nottingham Forest, welcoming students and teachers to take part in an exciting day of learning.
The event included:
- An exclusive Q&A with Fara Williams MBE, England’s most capped footballer
- Interactive sessions on trailblazing, green skills and soft skills.
- Career information and advice, including Q&As with E.ON’s apprentices and enterprise advisors.
Motivating students through real-life experiences
Volunteers and teachers alike spoke positively about the event, noting how engaged the students were throughout the day. While some students were initially hesitant, many quickly grew in confidence, asking insightful questions and actively participating in activities.
“The kids seemed to absolutely love it. I think the fact that we were doing activities, and we weren't all sat down made a big difference.”
“I saw children engaging at the end that maybe weren't as engaged at the start. Although I did think the group was very engaged in general for school kids!”
“Seeing how creative the students can be and letting them use that as they grow older. Hopefully, events like this help fuel that creativity.”
Opening doors to careers in energy and beyond
While the event focused on trailblazing and inspiring the children, it also introduced students to the range of green career opportunities on offer in the energy sector. In a follow up survey after the event, around half of the young people said they felt confident describing what a career in the energy sector involves.
The UK needs green jobs – to deliver the transition to clean energy and to unleash the potential of the green economy. E.ON has recently conducted research that revealed that almost half (47%) of school leavers are considering foregoing traditional higher education because they want to work in a green job now. And to make energy more affordable and sustainable for everyone, E.ON is training the green workforce of today and building the green workforce of tomorrow.
Importantly, teachers highlighted the value of engaging students at an earlier age:
“Year 7 [pupils] don’t necessarily have a lot of careers opportunities, so it’s fantastic that we could bring 60 students with us today. It’s making them realise that they can make a difference.”
The day also reinforced classroom learning, with students drawing connections between the event’s sustainability themes and their Geography and PHSE lessons:
“The kids knew a lot of the keywords from today, like microplastics, methane and gases. We’ve had some good cross curricular links there. It’s good for the children to think about these things outside of the classroom.”
Scott Somerville, Director of External Affairs at E.ON, said: “Through the New Energy Academy, our mission is to inspire young people to see the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future. Events like this bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunities, sparking ideas about the careers they may want to pursue. Watching their enthusiasm and curiosity grow throughout the day was truly rewarding — and partnering with Forest made the experience all the more special.”
Inspiring the next generation
Students not only deepened their understanding of sustainability but also enjoyed the unique setting of the City Ground, a local landmark. Meeting role models like Fara Williams gave them a powerful reminder that trailblazing comes in many forms – whether on the football pitch or in building a greener future.
By bringing education, inspiration, and real-world skills together, E.ON’s New Energy Academy continues to help young people discover how they can play a part in creating a sustainable future.
Find out more about apprenticeships at E.ON, including degree apprenticeships in areas as diverse as data science, digital marketing and project management, here.