Entering into its 22nd year, the Northsound Energy Schools Challenge has been running since 1997.
The Northsound Energy Schools Challenge invites schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to take part in a quiz that tests their general knowledge. The Challenge includes a number of heats with eight rounds of questions ranging from the energy industry, music, entertainment, movies and sport. This popular tournament gives local young persons an opportunity to showcase their knowledge across a range of subject matters.
The energy sector is a key employer across both the city and the shire. By making young people more aware of the range of career opportunities available, the Challenge hopes to encourage students to consider the industry as a future career. Connecting the region’s energy companies with local schools helps to create an even better understanding of what the energy sector can offer students looking to build their career within the industry.
Alan Higgins, former branch chairman and now a committee member from the Energy Institute emphasises this benefit every year. “Before these pupils know it, it will be time for them to start their careers. Because jobs within the energy sector are so hugely varied, we want students to really appreciate the full potential for their interests and skills across the industry. This is a value the Energy Institute shares with all of our sponsors around Aberdeen and the shire."
The 2018 Challenge had 16 schools participate from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. This year’s winner was Dyce Academy who were awarded a trophy on November 7 at STATS Group in Kintore.
Since the beginning, the award-winning North-east radio station, Northsound 1 has recorded and produced the Challenge. Each evening is guided and narrated by Lauren from Jeff & Lauren’s Breakfast Show and for 2018 was supported by 10 companies across the industry, including: AIS Training, Decom Energy, ECITB, Equinor, Marathon Oil, Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited, Oteac Ltd - Part of the Nucore Group, TAQA Bratani, The Oil and Gas Technology Centre and STATS Group in Kintore, where the finals were held this year.
Oteac Ltd, part of the Nucore Group, pledges ongoing support in 2019 to the Northsound Energy Schools Challenge. The Challenge is a great way of connecting local businesses with young people of the North-east - 2019 will be the company’s third year in supporting this initiative.
Graham Thomson, chief executive of Nucore Group, said of the Challenge: “We are delighted to be pledging our support towards this event. Keeping young people informed about the energy sector is important to the sector, they are the industry’s future and building a relationship with students is important in helping them understand the diverse range of skills required by the sector.”