Dogger Bank Wind Farm has partnered with Springpod and South Tyneside Council to deliver virtual work experience for South Tyneside students as part of their community fund projects.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2026 and is part of a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni Plenitude. The farm will be capable of powering 6 million British homes and is located more than 130km off the North East coast of England.

Dogger Bank wind farm’s Operation and Maintenance Base will be located at the Port of Tyne, making it the perfect opportunity to encourage young people into STEM careers, and help them to both prepare for a greener future and aid the UK's economic recovery.

When the pandemic began in 2020, in-person work experience was unable to continue, which led the project to seek alternative ways to inspire the next generation. As part of a wider £1 million community investment fund, the wind farm has partnered with South Tyneside Council to develop a virtual work experience programme with Springpod.

The ‘Engineering Your Future - South Tyneside’ programme, powered by Springpod, will witness hundreds of students, aged 12 to 15, from all over the UK gaining an invaluable insight into what it’s really like to work in a role built on the foundations of STEM subjects. 

They’ll learn about what it takes to build a sustainable future within the engineering industry, discover the latest innovations, and explore what it’s like to work at the heart of renewable energy. There will also be an opportunity to learn about finance and technology, as well as a glimpse into the renowned education and training provider, South Shields Marine School.

The virtual work experience concept was built and created by Springpod, a specialist careers platform that helps young people explore the world of work and university before they apply. Launched in 2018, they have over 5,000 diverse new members joining the platform every week, with 63% female and 49% BAME students currently making up the overall network. As part of Springpod’s mission to provide equal access to opportunity, it empowers the next generation of talent and enables them to take control of their futures. Their online platforms and programmes aim to educate, upskill and prepare young people to help them make that all-important career and further education choices. 

Lindsay Dougan, Community Manager, Dogger Bank Wind Farm commented:

“Dogger Bank Wind Farm is committed to investing in the STEM attainment of local young people. The engaging virtual careers week facilitated by Springpod is a great example of ensuring young people’s opportunities and experiences are enhanced after the pandemic.” 

Springpod CEO; Sam Hyams commented:

"The future workforce is climate-conscious so creating a programme in partnership with Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council that will develop young people's knowledge of the engineering and renewable energy sector whilst creating the right guidance to help them make informed decisions is invaluable. We are excited to highlight the green energy revolution taking place off the coast of North East England and give students the ability to learn about how they can shape a career in this sector.”

If you’d like to register your interest in this programme, you can do so by visiting here.

Find out more

You can find out more about the work we do with employers here

To explore partnership opportunities with Springpod, get in touch