During 2025/26, pupils from Viewforth High School took part in the Shell Girls in Energy Conference, a full-day event designed to inspire more young women to explore careers in STEM and the growing green economy. Delivered through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) partnerships, the event brought together education and industry to raise awareness of opportunities in the energy sector while building confidence, skills and aspirations.

The conference was delivered in partnership with Shell and Fife College as part of the Girls in Energy School–College Partnership course. A wide range of employers, including Babcock, Oceaneering, TechnipFMC, KDM, Caledonia Play, EAS, Score and Alltec Construction, supported the event alongside DYW Fife and Stemovators. This collaborative approach gave pupils direct access to employers, industry insight and real-world examples of career pathways in STEM and energy-related sectors.

Held in February 2026, the event offered a hands-on and interactive programme, with pupils taking part in practical workshops such as solar photovoltaic activities, hydrogen challenges and electric vehicle races. Alongside these activities, pupils heard from women working across the energy sector, helping them understand how their learning connects to future careers and see themselves represented in these industries.

A key feature of the event was the involvement of current Girls in Energy pupils, who took on ambassadorial roles to support delivery and act as role models for younger participants. The conference also concluded with a keynote from Professor Lesley Sloss of the University of Strathclyde, reinforcing the wide range of progression routes available, from further education to research and industry.

The impact of the conference was clear and immediate. Pupils reported increased confidence, a better understanding of the range of careers available in the energy sector and a stronger sense of aspiration. One S2 pupil shared, “I didn’t realise how many different jobs there were in the energy sector until today. It made me think about careers I’d never even considered before.” Another highlighted how the team challenges “pushed me out of my comfort zone but in a good way,” while an S6 pupil described the experience as “really inspiring… it made me feel like I could do something like that too.”

The project directly supports the Plan for Fife priorities of addressing the climate emergency and community wealth building and economic recovery. It also contributes to ambitions around improving educational attainment, increasing employment opportunities and reducing carbon emissions. By helping young women develop relevant skills, confidence and awareness of career pathways, the initiative supports a more diverse and future-ready workforce.

Looking ahead, partners will continue to build on this approach by supporting the ongoing delivery of the Girls in Energy programme and strengthening links between schools, colleges and employers. This continued focus on partnership working will help ensure more young people across Fife are equipped with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to access opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon economy.