National Grid’s school outreach scheme has involved 147,000 pupils across more than 180 schools and colleges UK wide since its launch five years ago.

This has surpassed its target of involving 100,000 children.

Latest figures from the energy firm show that the scheme has involved 200 volunteers in delivering mentoring, workshops and career talks.

The initiative costs £1.8m to run and has generated an estimated £6.3m in socioeconomic value by reducing the prospect of young people becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), its evaluation has found.

The outreach programme is part of National Grid’s London Power Tunnels (LPT) project and is being delivered in partnership with social enterprise Connectr.

It aims to tackle social mobility challenges, close STEM subject skill gaps, and create opportunities for underrepresented young people to take up careers in the energy sector.

Among those supported, 33,000 children are from London and 700 students took part in work experience placements with National Grid and its partners.

Delivery partners for the schools’ outreach scheme also include Hochtief-Murphy Joint Venture, Balfour Beatty, Linxon and Taihan.

The evaluation of the scheme also found that seven in ten children involved identify as ethnic minorities and just under three in five are female or non-binary.

Two thirds of schools involved have above average numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals.

“It’s been fantastic to see how our programme has helped opened doors for thousands of young people, giving them the chance to explore careers in STEM and energy that they may never have considered,” said Joe Senior, project director for National Grid’s LPT.

Wakib Ullah, business studies teacher at one of the schools involved Royal Greenwich Trust School, said: “The programme really aligned with our students’ interests and curriculum needs.

“The guest speakers, workshops and resources have given them invaluable insight into the energy sector and opened their eyes to new career paths. It’s inspired them to think beyond traditional routes and see the range of opportunities at organisations like National Grid.”

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