Girls in Energy

Course description

Many schools have joined with North East Scotland College and Shell UK to give you the opportunity to complete a vocational qualification as part of your school studies. The course runs as part of the Academic Year and provides young women with real-life experience of working in the energy industry. During the course you will:

• Develop technical knowledge, skills and understanding related to Engineering.
• Develop an awareness of health and safety issues for a range of activities.
• Develop and learn to apply practical, technical and communication skills.
• Develop aspects of the Core Skill of Working with Others
• Develop good practice in maintaining a tidy and safe work environment.
• Gain an understanding and appreciation of the varied roles on offer within the sector.
• Be prepared for further learning opportunities, study and training in the field of Engineering.

Throughout the course you will be encouraged to build your communication and teamwork skills – valuable skills that employers look for. Students also tell us that their confidence continues to grow as the course progresses!

If you have any enquiries, please email schools@nescol.ac.uk.

What you will experience

The course will allow you to develop key skills and understanding relating to the energy industries, helping you to make an informed decision about your future choices in education and employment. The course is made up of the following units:

• Energy: An Introduction
• Domestic Wind Turbines Systems
• Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems
• Employability and Careers
• Oil/Gas Extraction

This course is a mix of classroom study, industry visits and workshops with students from participating schools. You will talk directly with women who are working in different roles across various companies within the oil and gas and renewables sectors. There is also the opportunity for up to 10 students to take part in industry experience for around two weeks during the summer with Shell UK. This can help students to find out more about what a career in energy has to offer!

As part of the course you will receive a netbook to help you access your course materials and complete your studies.

Throughout the course you will review and identify how your skills are developing. You will be expected to demonstrate:

• Good timekeeping skills;
• A safe approach to working in a workshop environment;
• A willingness and commitment to learning and an interest in engineering;
• A knowledge of appropriate dress, in particular, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• An ability to work independently;
• Planning and preparation skills;
• An ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others;
• Problem-solving skills.

To achieve the full SQA National 5 qualification you must attend regularly and successfully complete all units. Assessment is based on a range of practical activities. Assessors will watch you undertake tasks and you will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of health and safety throughout.

What you will need

You will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which will be supplied to you. This includes safety boots, boiler suit and safety glasses. You will also receive a fleece jacket.

For all construction and engineering courses it is necessary to wear PPE. You are not allowed into the workshops without PPE and will be returned to school and marked absent if you arrive without it.