Latest news

Dogger bank Wind Farm launches Redcar & Cleveland primary careers programme

30th March 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news

  • Youngsters in Redcar and Cleveland to benefit from share in £1 million Dogger Bank construction investment package.
  • The money will be focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning, to help young people prepare for working life in a net zero world.
  • Building Our Future primary careers programme supported by Dogger Bank Wind Farm will reach out to all 44 primary schools and approx. 11,000 pupils in Redcar and Cleveland.
  • University students are also already benefiting from STEM scholarships from the wind farm.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is delighted to unveil plans to support 11,000 pupils from 44 primary schools in Redcar & Cleveland during its construction period.

As part of its wider £1 million investment across the north-east of England and Yorkshire announced in Spring 2021, the wind farm is now ready to formally launch its Redcar and Cleveland STEM education programme support.

At a breakfast meeting with local schools today, the wind warm will announce it will be investing in the Building Our Future Primary Careers Programme. Following a successful pilot of the programme in the region, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will invest further to help embed careers education, and particularly STEM careers, into every primary school in Redcar and Cleveland.

Today’s announcement takes the total number of schools benefiting from the Dogger Bank STEM programme to 204. It takes the total number of pupils the wind farm is reaching out to with its investment to 36,000.

The Redcar and Cleveland programme will be delivered by Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency with strategic support and guidance from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council. During a three-year period, the programme will broaden the careers awareness of primary school children and help them to understand the world of work by introducing them to a wide range of exciting local occupations.

The programme will provide advice, guidance, and training for teaching staff and help embed careers education into core school delivery. The programme will work closely with local employers so that young people get a unique understanding of the world of work.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said:

“Our region is the global go-to place for companies looking to push forward net zero innovation, delivering thousands of good, quality well paid jobs for local people. With so many jobs in the cleaner, healthier, and safer industries of the future coming here it’s essential that our young people know there is a bright future ahead of them.

“This investment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm will mean thousands of pupils across all of Redcar and Cleveland’s primary schools will be able to learn about these future opportunities, with a particular focus on STEM careers.

“Creating good quality job opportunities is at the heart of everything we’re doing across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, from the Freeport to the Airport. It’s essential that we build knowledge of the opportunities on our doorstep, that’s why I extended our Tees Valley Careers programme to include primary schools so that our young people can make clearer choices, achieve their full potential, and stay local but go far.”

Jacob Young, MP for Redcar, said:

“The pupils currently attending in Redcar and Cleveland’s primary schools are part of a generation that will grow up with the benefit of the new and exciting job opportunities that are fast coming to Teesside.

“It’s absolutely right that we do everything we can to encourage and inspire these children to be aware of the opportunities that are going to be available to them as soon as possible, even during their primary school years.

“I wholeheartedly welcome the Building Our Future primary careers programme and I hope it inspires every one of the 11,000 primary pupils in Redcar and Cleveland to become a new generation – inspired, confident and optimistic.”

Rachel Lawrence, Stakeholder Manager from Dogger Bank Wind Farm said:

“We know from talking to educational experts that children start to make important career choices during their primary school years. Embedding career discussions and activities in primaries will not only help young people to understand the breadth of opportunities available to them, but it will also be a fun and interactive way of helping them to make sense of the world around them. Through this investment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm, we hope to help pupils to unlock their potential and put them on a path to a successful, fulfilling and rewarding career.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be located more than 130 km off the northeast coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.

The wind farm is being built in three consecutive phases, connecting to the National Grid in both East Riding of Yorkshire and on Teesside. The third phase of the wind farm, Dogger Bank C, will reach landfall at Marske-by-the-sea. The underground onshore cables will be routed to an onshore convertor station near Lazenby, where preparation work is already underway. Once the current is converted, the renewable energy will make its way to an existing National Grid substation at Lackenby.

The project unveiled plans for its £1 million investment in communities last June and the team has been working with local educators in Redcar & Cleveland since then to develop a STEM programme that directly addresses the requirements of young people in the region.

Mike Milen, Chief Executive at Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency, said:

“Redcar & Cleveland and the wider Tees Valley region is undergoing huge change with significant inward investment, alongside our partners and with support from Dogger Bank Wind Farm we want to make sure more of our young people have an opportunity to access these new opportunities.”

Amanda Olvanhill, Head of Employability at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said:

“This investment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm will help build on a strong foundation and successful pilot funded through Sirius 106 monies, ensuring that all our primary schools have access to dedicated support and resources to help embed careers and highlight exciting local developments, STEM sectors and job roles.”

In addition to enhancing STEM provision in the classroom, several local students from Redcar and Cleveland will receive a scholarship to help with the cost of further education qualifications while studying STEM subjects.  Six local students have already received a scholarship of £5,000 from the programme and more students will receive support when the fund reopens in May.

The wind farm also has an Operators Fund to support local charities and community groups, with grants up to £500. This fund will help support projects which enhance the quality of life for local residents, contribute to sustainable communities or help promote community spirit. Further information is available at here.

Caption: Amanda Olvanhill, Head of Employability at Redcar and Cleveland Council (pictured left), and Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm (pictured right).