HR platform and talent solutions specialist, Connectr, today announced the results from its partnership with National Grid, and its London Power Tunnels project (LPT), in delivering a dynamic programme to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
LPT, a major engineering scheme to rewire the Capital, has worked with Connect to deliver an ambitious five-year campaign encouraging disadvantaged students in Years 9-13 across South London communities into a STEM-focussed career. Launched in 2020, the programme blends digital and in-person activity with an aim to impact 100,000 young people by 2025 – however, at the end of its second year, the initiative has already engaged over 50,000 students.
Over the last 12 months, highlights include:
- 12,467 workshops and Q&A sessions
- 4,754 assembly takeovers
- 12,906 Resource Packs to a network of educators
- A Virtual Work Experience Week to 190 students, supported by 12 guest speakers and 10 Digital Mentors
- 1,035 insight events
The success of year two was supported by 100 volunteers from National Grid, and engaged a total of 31,352 students – exceeding its second year target by 43%.
The STEM and career programmes give back to the communities impacted by LPT and its tunnelling works by showcasing career routes into STEM for socio-economically disadvantaged young people. The programme not only supports National Grid’s wider objective of working towards a greener grid, but also proactively addresses the demand for the energy sector to fill 400,000 roles by 2050 in order to successfully reach Net Zero.
Connectr designed the programme with National Grid to inspire an underrepresented community of students and their educators during the UK’s pandemic recovery through a dynamic blend of activity, whilst offering a meaningful volunteering opportunity to National Grid employees.
Utilising Connectr’s engagement platform and wider services, this included:
- In-person workshops for Years 9, 11 & 12
- Virtual Q&A sessions for Years 9-13
- Online events across key dates including National Apprenticeship Week and Engineering Week for Years 9-13
- Assembly takeovers
- Resource packs for educators to deliver classroom workshops
- Virtual Work Experience Week for Years 11, 12 & 13
- Digital mentoring support
Connectr’s Founder and Managing Director, Will Akerman, commented, “I am thrilled to see the impact our partnership with National Grid has delivered so far. Connectr is built upon a mission to give every person equal power and opportunity to shape their future – and the success to date of The London Power Tunnels Project truly exemplifies this. I’m delighted to see how Connectr’s platform and services are facilitating such positive change and very much look forward to continuing this impact alongside National Grid into Year 3 and beyond.”
Gareth Burden, Project Director for National Grid said: “Growing our next generation of STEM leaders starts with our young people. The Connectr programme brings engineering to life for students, helping them to practise and develop solutions for complex problems. It is a perfect fit with our aim to encourage and inspire young people to work on ground-breaking projects, showing them a STEM career is one with purpose and an exciting future.”
