Five minutes with E.ON’s Bal Atwal, winner of the Next Generation Employer Award

"I was already practising my 'well done to the winner' face!"

When Bal found out she had won the award, it came as a complete surprise: "My immediate reaction was complete shock – I was already mentally practising my 'well done to the winner' face! The calibre of the finalists was incredibly high, so winning genuinely wasn't something I expected."

The achievement was made even more special because fellow E.ON colleague Sarah Fisher was also shortlisted. "I was especially proud that E.ON had not one but two finalists, with the brilliant Sarah Fisher shortlisted too – so a huge shout-out to Sarah!"

For Bal, the award is about much more than individual recognition. "It was fantastic to see the work we do to support young people recognised externally. The trophy may have my name on it, but it really represents the collective effort of everyone who gives their time, energy and encouragement to help young people realise their potential."

"If there's one thing this award reinforces, it's that a few conversations, a bit of guidance and a lot of enthusiasm can make a much bigger difference than we often realise."

Supporting young people every step of the way

Bal believes E.ON's commitment to supporting young people at every stage of their journey is what makes the biggest difference.

From school engagement activities and careers events to work experience, apprenticeships and mentoring, the focus is on creating meaningful opportunities that help young people build confidence, develop skills and explore the wide range of careers available.

A key part of that success is the network of Employer Advisers across the business who volunteer their time and share their experiences: "By bringing real workplace insight into schools and communities, we help young people see what's possible and inspire them to believe in their own potential."

She also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for everyone. "We recognise that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn't always. That's why we're committed to working with schools, colleges and community partners to reach diverse groups of young people and help create a more inclusive future workforce. It's this collective effort that makes a real and lasting difference."

The power of one conversation

Rather than one standout moment, Bal says it's often the smaller interactions that leave the biggest impression. "I regularly meet young people who may be unsure of their next steps, lack confidence, or simply don't realise the opportunities available to them. Seeing that confidence grow over time is incredibly rewarding."

One young person in particular stands out. Initially, they believed apprenticeships weren't for them and doubted they had the skills to succeed. After taking part in careers activities, speaking to current apprentices and gaining work experience, their confidence grew significantly. "They went on to apply for an apprenticeship and were successful. Hearing later how much they were enjoying their role and the difference it had made to their future was a powerful reminder of why this work is so important."

For Bal, moments like these demonstrate the lasting impact Employer Advisers can have. "Sometimes all it takes is the right conversation, opportunity or role model to help a young person see their potential. Knowing you've played a small part in helping someone take that next step makes all the effort worthwhile."

Preparing young people for the future

As the world of work continues to evolve, Bal believes developing the right mindset is just as important as building technical skills.

"While digital literacy, data awareness, and an understanding of emerging technologies such as AI will be increasingly important, I believe the most valuable skills are the ones that help people adapt and continue learning throughout their careers."

She says qualities such as curiosity, resilience, communication, teamwork and problem-solving will continue to be essential, regardless of how jobs change. "Many of the jobs that will exist in the future don't exist today, so having a growth mindset and a willingness to keep learning will be one of the greatest strengths anyone can develop."

Bal's award recognises the difference one person can make but as she is quick to point out, it's also a celebration of the many colleagues across E.ON who dedicate their time to inspiring the next generation and helping young people realise their potential.