Building Our Futures Programme: Over ten thousand young people supported
The Building Our Futures programme, a STEM-focused primary careers-learning initiative funded by Dogger Bank Wind Farm, recently marked its third year of remarkable success at a celebratory event held at Redcar & Cleveland College. Since its inception, the programme has supported over ten thousand young people with future career guidance.
This pioneering programme is dedicated to embedding comprehensive careers education into every primary school across Redcar and Cleveland. It achieves this through engaging school workshops and the invaluable support of local employers. Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) delivers the programme, with strategic guidance and support from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
The recent celebration brought together employers, partners, and schools, providing an opportunity for programme leaders to highlight the significant achievements over the past three years, building on a successful pilot programme in 2021-22.
Since its inception, the Building Our Futures team, in collaboration with local employers, has worked with the vast majority of schools in Redcar and Cleveland.
These young people have gained crucial skills and knowledge essential for the future workforce. In total, 64 individual companies, with over 100 dedicated colleagues, have devoted their time to support employer engagement initiatives.
The Building Our Futures initiative has seen remarkable success by building impactful links between local employers and schools, providing young people with realistic career aspirations and tangible pathways to employment. The programme focusses on connecting students with a diverse range of local employers, ensuring that the job opportunities presented are genuinely attainable within their communities.
The programme supports participating schools by delivering six comprehensive modules focused on career learning and essential skills development. Beyond curriculum, the initiative provides strategic and operational support, featuring regular termly Career Champion networks, dedicated staff training and mentoring for Career Champions, engaging STEM events, valuable workplace visits and more.
Amanda Olvanhill, Head of Employability at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said:
“We are very proud of the Building our Futures programme in Redcar and Cleveland, and it is so well embedded with our primary schools, it has been wonderful to see so many children benefitting from the programme each year and learning about the fantastic career opportunities on their doorstep.”
Jacqui Hutchinson, Education, Employment and Skills, Primary Careers Co-ordinator, Building our Futures, said:
“On behalf of Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency, it is an honour to deliver the Building our Futures programme to primary and SEND schools in Redcar and Cleveland. Its success is testament to the commitment of our Business network to give back to their communities, our Education networks to finding the best opportunities for their students and to the determination and energy of the young people we are privileged to serve.
“The programme would not have been possible without the investment provided by Dogger Bank Wind Farm and the engagement of its supply chain in our Business network, the strategic support provided by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, and the commitment our schools have to enriching the educational experience of their pupils.
As we move into our fourth year of delivery, we are celebrating the achievements of more than ten thousand young people whose aspirations have been meaningfully changed by engaging with Building our Futures, we are working closely with partners to co-design a sustainable future for the programme moving forward.”
Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“What really makes a difference to this programme is how local employers and businesses are at the heart of it. This is what makes the career learning so real to the children – and also shows how their ambitions can really happen, with opportunities that are in their area. It’s easy as a business to say that young people don’t engage, it’s not as easy to go and do something about it. This is why we are so impressed by and appreciative of all the employers that make this programme happen.”
Earlier this year, the Building our Futures Programme was recognised at the Northern Echo Business IQ awards, winning the Community Impact Award.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has been a key supporter of the program, providing not only funding and resources but also demonstrating a strong commitment to employer engagement with schools through its diverse supply chain partnerships.
The project is dedicated to establishing a long-term legacy in the communities where we work and build, promoting STEM education and career opportunities, and creating community growth by investing in people and organisations.
Last year, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced the next phase of its community fund, committing £25 million to be used in the North and North East of England throughout the operational phase of the wind farm. This phase builds on the £1 million community fund set up during the construction phase of Dogger Bank.
Businesses interested in supporting the next generation can get involved with the Building Our Futures programme by visiting https://www.buildingourfutures.org.uk/contact-us/.