UK Power Networks: Power Among Us
A rewarding career in a STEM field, such as Energy and Utilities, feels out of reach for many disadvantaged young people in the UK, especially those unable to take advantage of higher education opportunities.
But UK Power Networks recognises that potential is not always dictated by qualifications and excluding those from disadvantaged socio-economic groups without qualifications means potentially missing out on a diverse pipeline of incredible talent. As a business, UK Power Networks strives to represent the communities it serves and is a leading member of The Purpose Coalition – a working group of innovative leaders openly committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity across the UK.
The cost-of-living crisis and high levels of unemployment within their footprint grew exponentially in the wake of Covid and Brexit, leaving more young people than ever classified as ‘disadvantaged’. Power Among Us was created in response to this challenge and has been designed to break down one of the most significant barriers to STEM careers – socioeconomic disadvantage. With enthusiastic collaboration across the business, and support from external experts, nine young individuals identified as being out of employment, education or training for at least six months, were offered a unique opportunity to develop their skills under the tutelage of UK Power Network’s highly trained teams.
This included two weeks of coaching, developing core employability skills, such as CV writing, interview preparation, and LinkedIn brand building, before undertaking two weeks of practical work experience with field teams and engineers to experience first-hand how the power network is maintained. The experience was bolstered further by Network Awareness and first-aid training. All expenses were covered along with a bursary being offered to enable individuals to fully participate.
Liz Nash, Learning & Development Manager at UK Power Networks, added: “At UK Power Networks, we are committed to creating opportunities for all, regardless of their start in life. As a leading member of The Purpose Coalition, our Power Among Us programme is a testament to our dedication to breaking down barriers to opportunity at all levels. Our belief is that talent is universal, but access and opportunity can be challenging. By investing in programmes like this, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future where everyone has the chance to succeed.”
The aim of Power Among Us was to make a real, tangible impact on the nine lives of these individuals, initially the aim was to assess participants at the programme’s conclusion and fast-track three top performers to assessment centres, but the unprecedented level of skill and commitment displayed by the cohort actually led to five participants being fast-tracked into full-time Craft Attendant positions where they will be further supported by technical training to help them grow and thrive in their new roles.
