National Grid and Smallpeice Launch New Work Experience Week for Teenagers

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, March 21, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Independent educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and UK’s largest utility company National Grid are looking for 14/15 year old (Year 10) students with an interest or natural flair in Science, Maths, Design or Technology to apply to attend a brand new "National Grid Work Experience Week" in Newark from 21st to 25th June 2010.

Based at the National Grid Training Centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire this brand new residential learning opportunity will boost students’ knowledge of engineering, and the future of energy. During the course the fifty lucky students will work with real engineers from National Grid to see first-hand how the energy supply industry works. This will include learning about the anatomy of the nation’s energy networks and taking a close up view of high-voltage substations, lines and cables.

Students will also explore the scale of the ‘hardware’ used to keep the lights on and the gas flowing this will include a tour round a major power station to find out how electricity is generated and a visit to a gas compressor site to develop a deeper knowledge of how gas is moved around in volume.

Richard Earp, National Grid’s education and skills manager said, “This is a new approach to work experience which we hope will really open young people’s eyes to what a career in engineering involves. Those who come along will get a chance to see what we do now and how the energy business is changing. We will need creative thinkers for the energy revolution that’s ahead.”

Gemma Murphy, Head of Marketing and Development commented, “We always aim to deliver exciting and innovative courses whilst providing a practical insight into industry sectors. Thanks to National Grid, we are able to give students a unique chance to explore a career path which may help them decide how they play a part in greening up our energy supplies and tackling climate change.”

The Smallpeice Trust National Grid Work Experience Week is part of an ongoing programme of subsidised residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing.

All Smallpeice courses are designed to improve core skills such as team building, communication and problem solving and are also linked to the National Curriculum. By attending one of their courses students will gain experience of university life and industry that will accelerate their personal development and their potential for greater academic achievement.

The National Grid Work Experience Week is completely free to of charge thanks to National Grid’s generosity. The experience includes all accommodation, meals, course materials and social activities. Application forms can be accessed from www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk . Interested students are advised to apply early, as applications will be reviewed and places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Attention Press:

Media are invited to come along during the course to view the students in action. Contact National Grid if you would like to attend.

About The Smallpeice Trust:

The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charitable trust which promotes engineering as a career, primarily through the provision of residential courses for young people aged 13 to 18.

The Smallpeice Trust was founded in 1966 by Dr Cosby Smallpeice, a pioneering engineer and inventor of the Smallpeice Lathe. Following the stock market flotation of his company Martonair, Dr Smallpeice invested his energy and part of his personal fortune to set up the Trust. The Trust is now governed by an eminent board of non-executive trustees and members from a diverse range of engineering, industry, educational and professional bodies.

This year, the Smallpeice Trust reached out to nearly 16,000 young people through over 32 different subsidised 4-day residential courses and 1-day in-school curriculum enrichment activities, offering training in all aspects of Engineering.

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