When the Coronavirus hit and lockdown began, Barrow Sixth Form College physics tutor Vincent Leonard decided he did not want students to miss out valuable career experience.
He worked with the Ogden Trust to access their summer internship programme with 70 hours of work.
The Coastal Energy Internships programme normally provides bursaries for sixth form students to undertake a 20-day placement with a local energy company in the summer.
The internship would usually be done in a company environment but this year the programme found another solution, offering project-based internships that could be carried out at home.
Vincent said the opportunity was opened up to all first and second year A Level students with three so far taking up the challenge.
“Having the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life scenarios will stand them in really good stead whether they decide to go on university or straight into employment after sixth form college. It will enhance their STEM skills, help them build connections with a business and enable them to see how they work in an energy sector environment.
“Our students represent the future workforce of these companies. They are full of fresh ideas and I hope the businesses will really have their eyes opened by the innovative thinking they apply to these projects.”
Students will be linked to one of three supporting businesses – Vattenfall, ScottishPower Renewables and James Fisher Marine Services – who launched the projects via a recorded webinar to the students.
The projects range from developing and building and offshore windfarm to designing a work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for use in subsea activities.