Withernsea High School

Eight students recently visited the National House Building Council (NHBC) Training Hub in Hull as part of a construction careers programme delivered through the Hull and East Yorkshire Careers Hub.

The Year 9 students were accompanied by Careers Leader Viki Foster and Head of Design and Technology Amy Norris during the visit, which provided a practical introduction to careers in the construction sector.

Viki said: “Through the Careers Hub, we've accessed resources throughout the year for a range of students. Our Year 11s have taken part in a mentoring programme with people working in the construction industry, while the NHBC visit gave Year 9 students a practical introduction to construction careers.”

The Hull and East Yorkshire Careers Hub works with schools, colleges and employers across the region to help young people understand local labour market opportunities and develop pathways into employment, training and further education. Through employer engagement activities, industry partnerships and targeted programmes, it supports students in making informed career decisions.

During the visit to the NHBC Training Hub, students learned about wages and salaries, training programmes and apprenticeships, before taking part in an interactive session exploring brickwork and the basics of bricklaying as a career.

In a hands-on bricklaying challenge, the group learned how to use mortar and a trowel, prepare a bed for laying bricks and construct a brick pyramid - a task designed to introduce the fundamental techniques used in wall building.

Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place based on the quality of the finished structures, as well as participants’ attitude and work ethic throughout the day. Mylie G took first place, followed by Jack L in second and Oskar D in third.

Amy Norris, Head of Design and Technology, said: “The students were highly engaged throughout the day and impressed the instructors with their enthusiasm, questions and excellent attitude. The experience helped bring engineering concepts to life, particularly around precision and accuracy, while giving students practical insight into the skills required in construction.”

Reflecting on the group’s response, Viki Foster added: “The students were initially very quiet, but once they got on with the tasks, they became very competitive and focused. A few of them said after the trip that it wasn't what they expected. While it is hard, manual and physically demanding work, they found it really fun. They really enjoyed the practical element and were quite surprised at how much a bricklayer can earn.”

Established in 1936, the NHBC is the UK's leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes. As part of a £100 million investment to address the national house-building skills shortage, it is expanding a network of specialist training hubs across the country.

NHBC’s Hull Training Hub provides apprenticeships in bricklaying and groundworking and can train more than 50 apprentices each year. The purpose-built facility offers realistic site conditions, including outdoor construction areas, classrooms and welfare facilities, helping apprentices develop practical skills before entering the workplace.

The hub forms part of NHBC's wider programme to train up to 3,000 site-ready tradespeople annually across England through a network of dedicated training centres.

Phil Mudd, Principal Tutor/Assessor at NHBC Hull, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome students from Withernsea High School to our training hub and give them a hands-on introduction to the sector. Through practical activities, learners developed core bricklaying skills and saw how subjects such as Maths and English are applied in a real working environment. The students showed excellent enthusiasm and engagement throughout the day, and we hope the experience has encouraged them to explore the wide range of opportunities available in construction.”

Highlighting the significance of the industry within the local economy, Viki Foster added: “Construction is one of the largest employment sectors in our area. We currently have major developments taking place in Withernsea and Keyingham, while many of our local employers are small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed tradespeople. It remains a thriving industry that offers a wide range of opportunities for young people.”

A group of Year 9 students with an interest in studying Geography, Design Technology and Engineering as part of their GCSE curriculum recently took part in a workshop exploring the practical applications of hydrogen fuel cells and their emerging role in the transition to clean energy.

The students gained hands-on experience of hydrogen as an energy carrier by constructing and racing small model vehicles powered by low-pressure hydrogen. The buggies, equipped with UK-designed and manufactured fuel cells, operated using approximately 20ml of hydrogen supplied through refillable ‘Hydrostiks’, providing a safe and reliable way to use hydrogen technology in the classroom.

Working in teams, students competed to create either the fastest or the longest-running vehicle, experimenting with fuel-cell management techniques and adjusting load levels to optimise performance. Each buggy was assembled from a kit, allowing students to explore different drive configurations and evaluate how design choices influenced efficiency and speed.

Competing under the team name 'Hull’s Finest', Leo, Archie and Arry recorded the fastest race time of the day with an impressive 5.3-second run. Their result is currently the quickest achieved among the five schools that have participated in the programme so far this year.

Amy Norris, Head of Design Technology, said: “The students demonstrated excellent teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills throughout the challenge, developing valuable transferable skills as they prepare for Key Stage 4. The workshop also created meaningful links between Design Technology, Engineering and Geography through discussions around renewable energy. Our visitors praised students for their ability to identify challenges quickly and work creatively and collaboratively to develop effective solutions.”

Explaining how the project supported learning in Geography, Head of Humanities Sarah Harris added: “Our aspiring geographers enjoyed learning about hydrogen as a renewable energy source, how it can be stored and its potential role within the future energy mix. Sustainable energy is a key component of the GCSE specification, and the growth of the hydrogen economy in the Humber region makes this learning particularly relevant to students’ future opportunities.”

The workshop was delivered by UKSTEM, a provider of STEM education packages and resources, as part of their H2 The Future initiative. The programme aims to demonstrate how hydrogen can support the transition to renewable energy systems by acting as a form of energy storage, produced from sources such as wind, solar, tidal and wave power.

 

A group of students from Withernsea High School have been given a first-hand insight into the world of engineering and renewable energy through a programme designed to raise aspirations among young women considering STEM careers.

Eleven Year 9 and Year 10 students took part in the Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) Raising Aspirations programme, delivered in partnership with energy company RWE to build confidence and encourage more girls to consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). 

Students began the programme with introductory sessions in school exploring career pathways, personal strengths and the many opportunities available within the engineering and renewable energy industries. Sessions were led by RWE representatives including Humber Gateway general manager Katie Wright, offshore health, safety and environment adviser Bella Easton, apprentice offshore wind turbine technician Amelia Goodwin, and offshore wind turbine technician Amy Allen.

The programme later moved to RWE’s offshore wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facility at the Port of Grimsby, which supports the company’s Humber Gateway wind farm. The students took part in CV and cover letter workshops, discussed transferable skills and toured the operational site. During the visit, they also heard from Vicky Powell, director of UK offshore operations at RWE, who spoke about her career journey and the experience she had gained throughout her career.

Humber Gateway general manager Katie Wright said: “The students responded very positively to the programme, showing strong engagement throughout both stages. During the keynote sessions, they asked thoughtful questions about career pathways, qualifications and real-life experiences in engineering.

“On the site visit day, their confidence visibly increased, particularly during interactive elements such as the CV workshops and informal discussions over lunch. Many students who were initially quiet became more comfortable contributing, especially when speaking with female engineers and professionals they could relate to.

“Overall, the programme created an environment where students felt able to ask questions openly and begin to see themselves in roles they may not have previously considered.”

The visit also aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, the national framework for careers education in schools, which emphasises the importance of young people gaining first-hand experience of workplaces through visits, employer engagement and placements.

Updated government guidance recommends secondary school students complete a total of ten days’ work experience by the end of Year 11, with increasing emphasis being placed on exposing young people to professional environments and career opportunities from an early age.

Careers leader Viki Foster said: “Such opportunities can make a huge difference because they allow students to see industries and workplaces for themselves rather than simply hearing about them in the classroom. 

“Speaking directly to professionals in the sector and hearing about their experiences helps make those career pathways feel more realistic and achievable. It also helps students understand the relevance of the subjects they study in school and how those subjects can open doors to a wide range of future opportunities.”

Katie Wright added: “The site visit is a critical part of the Raising Aspirations programme because it transforms engineering from something abstract into something tangible and accessible. Seeing a real working environment helps students understand the scale and impact of the industry. It allows them to visualise themselves in a professional setting and connect classroom learning to real-world applications. It also breaks down common misconceptions about engineering workplaces, particularly for young women who may not previously have seen themselves represented in these environments.”

Students were also shown the wide variety of careers available within RWE, many extending beyond traditional technical roles, such as project management, environmental and sustainability roles, data analysis, IT, communications, finance and community engagement.

“This diversity is important because it allows young people with different strengths and interests to find a pathway into the industry. Access routes are equally varied. Students can enter through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, internships and work experience placements. Programmes like Raising Aspirations are key in highlighting these pathways early, helping students understand that there is no single type of person suited to engineering or energy careers.”

Now in its fifth year, the Raising Aspirations programme was created by WiME in response to calls from Humber-based employers seeking to build a more diverse future workforce. Since launching, more than 700 girls have taken part in the initiative. During the current academic year alone, around 200 students from 14 schools across the Humber have been involved, supported by 20 locally based companies.

Reflecting on its impact, Dr Kirsty Clode, chairwoman of WiME, said: “In 2021, the WiME team created the Raising Aspirations programme in response to requests from companies who wanted a programme that built on the success of the annual face-to-face, multi-school WiME careers events, including our careers fairs.

The programme is only made possible thanks to the involvement of wonderful people at companies like RWE who generously participate. Sharing their career stories makes a real difference. Each participant has a unique story that helps the girls see amazing opportunities. I often hear that the girls finish the programme knowing about many more jobs than they ever imagined, and they truly believe these industries are for them - which is fantastic.”

Katie Wright added: “From a company perspective, initiatives such as WiME and the Raising Aspirations programme are an important part of a broader, long-term effort to improve gender diversity.

“While it can be difficult to directly attribute increases in recruitment to a single programme, there are clear indicators of positive impact, including increased engagement from female students during outreach activities, growing interest in work experience and early-career opportunities among young women, and stronger visibility of female role models within the organisation.

“Like many organisations in the engineering sector, RWE continues to see a gradual increase in the number of women exploring and entering engineering roles, although this remains an ongoing area of focus.

“We are actively working to build a more balanced workforce through outreach, inclusive recruitment practices and early engagement programmes such as this one. Over time, these initiatives contribute to a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline.”

Building on the work to connect more women and young people with opportunities in the sector, WiME has also announced that its next careers fair will take place on Tuesday, 6 October, at the Guildhall in Hull, with the event open to the public from 4pm to 6pm.

The careers fair will showcase the wide range of opportunities available for women across the manufacturing and engineering sectors, giving visitors the chance to meet industry professionals, explore current job vacancies, learn about apprenticeships and training routes, and gain insight into careers within the region’s growing industries.

The event is aimed at women considering a career change, those returning to work, school and college students, higher education students and careers advisers.

ABOVE: The students were given a tour of RWE's O&M facility at the Port of Grimsby. 

 

ABOVE: HSE Adviser Bella Easton leads a CV workshop with Year 9 students. 

 

ABOVE AND BELOW: Offshore wind turbine technician Amy Allen demonstrates the challenges of her role. 

 

ABOVE: Dockside at the Port of Grimsby.