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We work with local communities in our geographical areas to support and help young people make the move into the workplace. Our staff support various community-based education programmes:
Our skill-seeker programme helps young people make the transition into the world of work. We provide opportunities for young people to gain experience in a wide range of roles including business administration, engineering and electrical installation. Engineering placements at Yale College, Wrexham are also offered. Skill-seekers is an on-going programme and we're delighted that the success rate of those leaving our programme into employment or further education remains extremely high.
This programme runs for two years and provides young people with an opportunity to gain a City & Guilds award, which is the equivalent to two GCSEs. The programme also provides a distinct opportunity to build a future career in engineering. For example, working in partnership with Fazakerley Engineering Specialist College and Frodsham High School, we have implemented a programme offering placements to 15 year-old students.
ScottishPower Group delivers a number of programmes designed to assist young people and long-term unemployed gain employability skills. This 12-week programme has elements of community project work as well as work placement and community challenges. One recent example of a community project assisted by SP Energy Networks is Wallasey 11. This team renovated a garden at a community care home in Bebington with support and materials supplied by SP Energy Networks.
We confirmed backing with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and other UK electricity companies for a new Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) at Capenhurst. The EIC is a world-class incubation unit for bringing new energy ideas and businesses to market. Britain's brightest sparks are invited to pitch their ideas for developing new energy technologies and products to a Dragon's Den style committee. The best win investment and support to take t0heir ideas all the way to market. It is anticipated that in the first two or three years at least 18 members will set up new businesses at the Energy Innovation Centre, creating 60 or more jobs.
A critical part of all of our education programmes is the involvement of our staff. Whilst there are tangible benefits for the young people taking part in the programmes, our own employees also benefit in many ways.
A recent example of this is the work undertaken at Symington Tinto AFC which is now a brighter, safer place thanks to SP Energy Networks. For decades now the club has been an important part of the local community but was struggling to hold training and practice evenings due to the condition of the existing floodlighting. Signing a cheque to have a brand new, state-of-the-art floodlighting system installed was way beyond Tinto Symington's means so when we heard of the club's dilemma, we decided to lend a helping hand and boost our own employees' skills at the same time. Click here to read more about our community based development.
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