Building meaningful partnerships to inspire the next generation into energy careers

Engaging and empowering young learners and preparing them for a future career in STEM is one of OPITO’s long-standing priorities. With 100,000 new energy jobs expected by 2025 – and 4,500 in new roles ‘that do not currently exist’, attracting the next generation of energy workers is essential.

Part of OPITO’s commitment to the development of STEM skills includes a strong partnership with Aberdeen Science Centre – which was recently awarded 5-star status by Visit Scotland following its refurbishment in 2020, as well as receiving the prestigious Traveller’s Choice award from Trip Advisor, which only 10% of global businesses on the platform can boast.

One of the venues’ main interactive exhibits is the OPITO Theatre of Energy, the first immersive theatre of its kind in the UK. Investing more than £600,000, OPITO has supported Aberdeen Science Centre to develop STEM locally and engage and empower young learners by boosting the provision of innovative local facilities.

In addition, OPITO has been working with the Centre and other partners to bring offshore wind to life and stimulate an interest in renewable energy amongst school pupils, through its My Energy Future Live event in collaboration with OffshoreWind4Kids which will take place in August.

A visit to the Centre is an exciting and educational way to keep kids entertained during weekends and school holidays!

Sparking interest in energy

Located just a five-minute walk from Aberdeen’s beach boulevard, the Science Centre, boasts a range of interactive exhibitions and activities, educating visitors on industries from energy to space to life sciences.

In the dedicated energy section on the Centre’s ground floor, there’s a host of activities to teach a range of ages about where energy comes from, the forms it can take and how it powers our everyday lives.

The OPITO Theatre of Energy is designed to educate school pupils about the current and future energy mix and is a great way to spark an interest in young people and influence their considerations throughout their time at school. It also offers lessons many can take into their future careers

It features three engaging experiences:

The ‘Story of Energy’

This show uses the latest projection mapping technology to introduce why having a mix of energy sources is shaped by people and our demand.

The interactive Energy Wall

Mirroring your movements, the interactive Energy Wall lets you embody different sources of energy used globally.

The Avatar Energy Game

This game challenges you to maintain power to an imaginary Aberdeen city, while keeping carbon emissions low, educating on the different energy sources.

MY ENERGY FUTURE

This partnership is just one of the ways OPITO demonstrates its commitment to the development of future energy workforce, supporting the growth of key skills essential to meeting ambitious net zero targets and creating a greener world for all.

OPITO also launched My Energy Future, an interactive digital interface, in 2021, with the aim to inspire and inform a new generation of energy people. My Energy Future brings to life the world of energy with fascinating facts and dynamic animations, providing powerful career insights from ‘energy influencers’ on their career journey so far and future aspirations.

As part of OPITO’s ongoing partnership with Aberdeen Science Centre, it’s working with them to deliver our next My Energy Future LIVE event alongside OffshoreWind4Kids.

Brought to Aberdeen by OPITO, ASC and AREG, OffshoreWind4Kids is a project aimed at educating children in the fields of engineering, technology, and renewable energy. The workshop, taking place at Aberdeen beach and the Science Centre, will see local school pupils build, test and then decommission their own offshore wind turbine, before visiting the Science Centre to take part in some of the activities there.

Offshore wind will play an essential role in the future of energy, creating exciting new job roles for young people in the future. This workshop aims to inspire young people about careers in the energy industry and is just one of many STEM outreach initiatives that OPITO are involved with globally.

In short, whether digitally or live, My Energy Future is where young people can begin their energy journey. Find out more about My Energy Future, including upcoming events, at www.myenergyfuture.co.uk