Image above shows Dame Hilary Boulding (Principal of Trinity College, Oxford), Aqeel Bashir (SSEN Project Director of Large Capital Delivery) and Lady Elish Angiolini (Principal of St Hugh’s and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and SSE board member)  

Over 180 school pupils from Oxfordshire have been welcomed by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), the education charity SmartSTEMs, and the University of Oxford to the prestigious campuses of Jesus and Trinity Colleges. This inspiring event has been held to raise aspirations and ignite students' interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

The pupils, aged between 10 and 14, took part in interactive workshops and heard from people working in a range of STEM careers. The students also had chance to meet people from organisations including, SSEN, OCU, Keltbray, Oxfordshire County Council, UK Atomic Energy Authority, Hitachi, Siemens Energy, Thomas White Oxford, Telefonica Tech, ADAS, Dalcour Maclaren, Rowfield and Meeting Place to ask questions and find out more about opportunities in fields including power and infrastructure, construction, renewable energy, science and innovation.    

The event was sponsored by SSEN’s Large Capital Delivery team which is investing over £200m in the electricity distribution network across Oxfordshire. Working with its delivery partner, OCU, SSEN is ensuring the region’s network has the capacity, flexibility and resilience to power homes, businesses and public services long into the future and pave the way for cleaner, greener energy.   

The pupils learnt about the skills and technology needed to support the move to net zero, the vital role the next generation will play in creating a greener future and the many and varied career paths open to them as they progress in their education.   

Ian Burnham, SSEN’s Head of Large Capital Delivery for central southern England region said:

“Bringing together pupils from local primary and secondary schools at the University of Oxford to learn about the diverse career opportunities linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics has been brilliant. From ensuring we have the clean, green power to drive our homes and businesses, to contributing to Oxfordshire’s science and innovation sector and creating future-ready towns and cities – the opportunities for young people are exciting and endless.  

“We hope that by taking part in workshops and speaking to people of different ages and backgrounds already working in STEM careers, these pupils will feel inspired to consider new possibilities. I’d like to thank all the teachers and schools that made this event possible, as well as the organisations who have taken part and helped inspire our scientists, engineers, explorers and innovators of the future.”  

As well as learning about careers in a wide range of fields, the pupils also heard from Dame Hilary Boulding, Principal of Trinity College and Lady Elish Angiolini, Principal of St Hugh’s and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and SSE board member.  

Speaking at the event, Lady Elish said:   

 “It’s been an honour to introduce this SmartSTEMs’ event and to see how eager these 10- to-14-year-olds are about careers in what are - potentially - some of the most interesting jobs on the planet right now.   

“When they’re very young, some people tend to think immediately of a future in the jobs they see around them. What we want to achieve through this event is to show these young people that there are so many other opportunities in a STEM career; opportunities that can take them around the world, if they wish and in jobs that can help make positive changes for that world.” 

 Karen Adams, Head of Operations for SmartSTEMs added: 

“It’s been incredible to have welcomed almost 200 young people from across the local area to this incredible event in partnership with Jesus College and Trinity College, University of Oxford and SSEN.  

“At SmartSTEMs, our goal is to break down barriers to STEM education and create opportunities for every young person, and this event is a great example of that in action. By connecting pupils and their schools with many local employers, we've helped to expand their networks and show them the amazing possibilities STEM can offer.   

“Brilliant hands-on workshops delivered by the likes of UK Atomic Energy Authority, OCU, Dalclour Maclaren, and of course, SSEN, have inspired the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. It was an incredible day filled with learning, discovery and new opportunities and highlights the power of collaboration in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and exciting future for all.” 

For full details on careers, apprenticeships and trainee programmes in SSE, please go to: https://careers.sse.com/