Seeking local teachers to champion offshore wind careers
Sofia has launched its drive to recruit secondary school and college teachers to become champions for offshore wind and the myriad careers it offers.
- 14 July 2022
Focus on schools across Redcar & Cleveland and eastern Middlesbrough
The search for teachers to take part in the third cohort of the offshore wind careers programme: Sofia Champions for Wind began this week with a focus on schools across Redcar & Cleveland and eastern Middlesbrough.
Successful applicants will join previous cohorts in developing, delivering and sharing their own curriculum materials with the aim of engaging Key Stage 3 to 5 students in the potential of the offshore wind sector as a future career option.
The initial cohort of teachers has recently completed its two-year programme, with the first year focussed on developing and delivering the curriculum and the second on extending its outreach. The materials developed will shortly be available on the Sofia website for other teachers and educational professionals to access and use.
Teacher initiatives to date have included: two-days of activity sessions for year 9s, careers sessions with mock interviews, and geography projects with renewable energy focus. Two students from Archway Pupil Referral Unit have been inspired to undertake further technical studies following their involvement in the programme.
At Redcar & Cleveland College, under Sofia champions and engineering teachers Gary Keeys and Mike Reid, the students made 3D models of a turbine and the onshore converter station site, with students Michael Whiles and Phillip Tosh presenting their group work at the Champions review session, an annual year-end event.
This new cohort will take place over two years, with each school involved receiving a bursary of £1500 during the period, to add value to any activities undertaken as part of the Champion’s projects. The programme aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance.
Creative and innovative proposals from teachers of any subject area are now welcome. The application form can be downloaded here. Applications close on 12 September 2022.
Redcar & Cleveland College students Michael Whiles (left) and Phillip Tosh present the 3D models made during the Champions programme.
