Back to the classroom: Prysmian engineers inspire Kent students
How do you inspire the future generation to join the ever-expanding world of energy transition? Particularly at a time when there is a shortage of STEM skills in the UK. Perhaps company-driven initiatives can provide students with some inspiration?
Back in June 2024, a team of Prysmian engineers and submarine experts behind the new international energy transition project NeuConnect, joined forces with two local schools in Kent for a unique community project.
Students from The Robert Napier School in Gillingham and The St John Fisher School in Chatham were taught by the Prysmian team who explained the purpose of the NeuConnect project, the role Prysmian is playing and how a UK-German submarine connection will help boost energy security in Britain and across Europe.
NeuConnect is a 725km submarine project that will directly link the UK and Germany’s electricity grids. Prysmian was awarded the project in 2022, and will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation, testing and commissioning. Once connected, NeuConnect will be one of the world’s longest interconnector projects.
In total, 24 students – all aged between 14 and 18 years old – took part in the three-week scheme, which ran from 24th June to 12th July. As part of their learning, students learnt how to effectively plan activities, the technical characteristics of the high voltage (HVDC) cable and how it’s manufactured, and of course, how a big energy transmission project is delivered.
The Prysmian team put together a thorough, interactive programme that promoted active learning and got the students engaged in the project right from the start. As well as traditional classroom learning, the students took part in role playing activities and went on site visits to not only see how the project is developing first hand, but to learn about the key equipment used and safety procedures involved in one of the biggest energy transformation projects in the UK.
Making a positive impact
The project is part of the Prysmian global commitment to social ambition, which encourages employee empowerment to make a positive impact on local communities.
“I believe we succeeded in that,” says Lubna Gemey, Project Manager for NeuConnect. “We had students ask how to pursue a career in this industry and what kind of academic path they should follow. We’re proud of how the initiative was managed.”
What happens next? Feedback will be collated from everyone who took part in the scheme and a celebration assembly with all the students will take place in September. Following the initial success in the UK, it’s hoped that the project will be rolled out to students in Germany.