Fara Williams inspires the next generation of trailblazers as E.ON’s New Energy Academy turns one

Since launching in 2024, the New Energy Academy has supported thousands of teachers across the UK with free curriculum-linked resources that make sustainability and green careers accessible and inspiring for 11–14-year-olds. Developed in partnership with teachers, the programme offers ready-to-use assemblies, PSHE lessons and interactive activities that build essential skills like teamwork, creativity and problem-solving, while introducing students to careers beyond traditional STEM – including AI, data science, marketing and energy.

Celebrating the New Energy Academy with Wembley High Technical College

As part of its anniversary celebrations, E.ON hosted a green skills workshop at Wembley High Technical College – the winners of E.ON’s recent Trailblazing Heroes competition. The competition asked students to enter by creating a poster of a trailblazer who inspires them, and to identify the skills that the trailblazer has. Fara Williams MBE joined the winning students for a day of team building, Q&A and hands-on challenges from the New Energy Academy resources.

Fara Williams MBE said: “It was incredible to spend time with the winners of E.ON’s Trailblazing Heroes competition and to see how excited they are about working together, solving problems and thinking about their futures. The skills they’re building now – like communication, teamwork and adaptability – are exactly the same skills that helped me throughout my football career and will help them succeed in any career they choose.”

Head of Year at Wembley High Technical College, added: “Having Fara at our school was such an inspiring experience. The visit not only brought the New Energy Academy resources to life but also showed the children how skills learned in the classroom link to real-life role models and future careers.” 

John, a Year 8 student at Wembley High Technical College, and who attended the event, added: “It’s not just one of those competitions where you just do it and then you get a prize. There’s a deeper feeling. You learn about people who inspire you. You start to think, and you may want to research into it more – and that may help you in the future.”

Why E.ON is investing in employability skills

According to the 2025 Youth Voice Census, 43% of young people say anxiety is a major barrier to employment, and confidence in employability skills is declining – especially among those still in education. These concerns highlight the urgent need for support that goes beyond the classroom.

That’s why E.ON created the New Energy Academy, as part of its commitment to helping young people build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to contribute to a fairer, more sustainable energy future. By equipping them with practical tools and insights, the New Energy Academy aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, while also supporting wellbeing and resilience, and helping to meet the nation’s green skills gap.

Scott Somerville, E.ON UK’s Director of External Affairs, said: “When schools, sustainability and sports collide, the effects can be truly powerful. A year on from its launch, it’s fantastic to see how our New Energy Academy is igniting imaginations, sparking skills, and opening up a new world of opportunities for young people, helping them learn more about how exciting, rewarding, and varied a green career can be.”

Real impact in schools

Over the past year, students across the country have taken part in challenges like designing sustainable cities and pitching green ideas – building creativity, teamwork and resilience. At the launch event at the Nottingham Forest City Ground, Fara Williams MBE joined pupils from The Becket School, Nottingham, to explore what it means to be a trailblazer in sport, sustainability or beyond. Following the event, three out of five students said they felt they could work in the energy sector– showing how the programme broadens horizons and boosts confidence.

Find out more about the New Energy Academy

Thousands of teachers are already using the New Energy Academy to bring sustainability and careers education to life in the classroom. Whether its planning a PSHE lesson, careers day or enrichment activity, the resources are free, flexible and designed to save teachers time. Explore and download the resources at: eonenergy.com/new-energy-academy.

ENDS