SSEN Transmission Discovery Days – Opening Doors to STEM Careers

We supported SSEN Transmission launching its inaugural Discovery Days in the Inverness and Central Highland region, which was created in collaboration with Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH), Dingwall Academy and Alness Academy.

The two-day event gave young people a unique, hands-on introduction to the world of SSEN Transmission – from its culture and career pathways to its people.

The initiative formed part of our Insight into Apprenticeships programme, which is accredited at Silver level on the Industrial Cadets pathway and designed to inspire and inform young people about STEM careers through apprenticeships.

Over the course of the two days, 45 pupils from S4–S6 from Dingwall Academy and Alness Academy took part in a structured programme that connected them with over 20 members of the SSEN Transmission workforce. The result was an immersive introduction to life at one of Scotland’s major energy infrastructure companies.

Day 1: Real Stories and Real Conversations

The first day opened with a warm welcome, followed by a session on The SSE Story – an introduction to the organisation, its purpose, and its values.

Students then had the chance to hear directly from apprentices and trainees, learning about their individual journeys into the business, what a typical day looks like, and how different roles contribute to the bigger picture. These sessions were particularly well received, with young people asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine interest in the variety of entry points into the company.

In the afternoon, students rotated through a series of breakout networking tables hosted by different departments within SSEN Transmission. Each group had 15 minutes per table, gaining a deeper understanding of different roles – from engineering and environmental planning to project management and HR.

Day 2: Hands-On STEM and Recruitment Insights

The second day focused on skill-building. Working in teams, students took on a STEM challenge using only paper straws, blue tack, and tape to build a freestanding tower – testing their problem-solving, communication, and creativity.

Next came the Network Design Challenge, where students planned a fictional electricity transmission route. With cost, environment, and technical considerations to juggle, the activity mirrored real-world thinking and planning in the energy sector.

In the afternoon, SSEN Transmission delivered a full recruitment masterclass, covering their four-stage process and demystifying everything from CV writing to video interviews and online assessments. Mock scenarios helped students build confidence and better understand what employers look for in applicants.

The results of the programme were immediate. A noticeable increase in apprenticeship applications followed the programme – with students now equipped not only with knowledge, but with a clear understanding of how and when to apply.

This pilot initiative sets a powerful example of how large employers can meaningfully engage with young people. The SSEN Transmission Discovery Days model is replicable across the energy sector and beyond – offering a blueprint for impactful early talent engagement.

Testimonials

From Schools & DYW

“Just wanted to say what wonderful days we attended last week. The students all got something out of the experience.”
— Tracy Robertson, Faculty Head of Art, Design and Technology, Alness Academy

“I’d like to highlight the efforts and impact of the three modern apprentices who shared their very different pathways and progressions with the pupils. This really helped hammer home the ‘no wrong path’ message and impacted on many of the Dingwall cohort (as I’m sure it did with those from Alness too).”

“Thank you to EDT for organising the SSE event. It was the perfect example of how a large employer should engage with pupils and gave all those in attendance an insight to SSE, their structures, procedures, and processes. The involvement of their staff was hugely significant.”
— Sandy Mackenzie, DYW School Co-ordinator, Dingwall Academy

From Students

“I've seen that they offer a wide range of apprenticeships in different sectors of the business. I also seen the different ways to apply whether that is doing an apprenticeship or going to college.”

“I found it a great opportunity for learning more about the possible routes you can take with one company – such as multiple career options within a large company and how they are making a change to the world.”

“The company insight day was interesting and full of information that I found useful.”

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