ScottishPower’s commitment to the energy industry and creating a skilled workforce for the future has been acknowledged by Business in the Community (BITC) after two of its projects were reaccredited with coveted Big Ticks.

Big Ticks recognise inspirational programmes that are making a positive impact on the community, the environment or wider society. ScottishPower has been reaccredited in both the Education Category, for its public safety campaign PowerWise, and in the Work Inspiration category, for its Young Apprentice engineering work experience programme.

With health and safety a core value for the leading energy provider, its PowerWise campaign aims to educate children to be safe around electricity in the home and outdoors through the implementation of three educational initiatives.

Interactive classroom lessons and participation in community safety events has resulted in hundreds of thousands of young people increasing their safety awareness since the PowerWise programme began in 2003. ScottishPower’s campaign also gives support to two safety education centres which aim to raise awareness of safety hazards.

The ScottishPower Young Apprentice engineering work experience programme is a unique vocational programme delivered on Merseyside and Glasgow encouraging young people with a keen interest in science and engineering to complete work experience in a safe and controlled work environment.

At a time when 80% of the industry’s workforce is set to retire or leave over the next 15 years, ScottishPower is committed to creating the ‘Power Generation’ for the future. The Young Apprentice programme hopes to encourage young people to progress into apprenticeships by giving them an opportunity to put classroom theory into practice and gain industry awareness.

Sheila Duncan, HR Director at ScottishPower, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for two of our key campaigns to have been recognised once again by Business in the Community and we are delighted to have been reaccredited with Big Ticks in the Education and Work Inspiration categories.

“At ScottishPower, we realise the importance of corporate social responsibility and we always aim to give something back to the communities in which we serve.

“Both PowerWise and the Young Apprentice programme are of fundamental importance to our business strategy and we hope the projects, and projects like these, will continue to make a difference to the future generation of Britain, moving forward.”

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of Scottish Business in the Community, which facilitates the Awards for Excellence in Scotland, said: “I congratulate ScottishPower on achieving their reaccredited Big Ticks. There has never been a better time to showcase that business can be a force for good – for the mutual benefit of both business and the communities in which they operate. As we celebrate 30 years of responsible business, it is great to see robust examples of best practice receiving sustained recognition with organisations across the country demonstrating a positive impact on society and people without losing focus on their business.”

For further information about the 2012 Awards categories and sponsors, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards

Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of ScottishPower. For further information, please contact Eleanor Marshall or Jen Hood on 0141 333 9585 / Eleanor.marshall@bigpartnership.co.uk / Jennifer.hood@bigpartnership.co.uk

Notes to Editors

ScottishPower

1. PowerWise programme – ScottishPower prides itself on placing health and safety as a core value within each business. We recognise that it is not restricted to the workplace, but encapsulates all areas where operations impact the wider society.

The Electricity (Safety, Quality and Continuity) Regulations 2002 require Distribution Network Operators to take proactive measures to advise the public of dangers. ScottishPower goes beyond this with its public safety education campaign, ‘PowerWise’.

Focusing on three educational initiatives ScottishPower aims to educate all children in its operating area on staying safe around electricity and thereby reduce future incidents.

PowerWise Classroom Education Programme
Professional teachers present interactive lessons in all primary schools across our operating area. Tailored for Key Stage 1 and 2 and curriculum linked, they deliver potent messages about electrical safety in the home and outdoors. The school receives a PowerWise Resource Pack from which teachers can deliver future lessons. ScottishPower proactively contacts schools and the programme is FREE OF CHARGE. Since its inception in 2003 over 338,000 children have experienced PowerWise lessons.

Crucial Crew Safety Events
Facilitated by emergency services or local authorities, experiential safety events afford children the opportunity to take part in a range of scenarios designed to increase safety awareness. In 2010 ScottishPower personnel took part in 8 events, educating over 13,000 children.

Safety Education Centres
ScottishPower supports two centres designed to raise awareness of safety hazards. Support is provided through provision of equipment; electricity awareness training and advice; attendance of Steering Group Meetings; and, annual financial contribution. The centres allow us to extend vital safety messages to over 13,000 children each year.

As well as satisfying legislative requirements, there are other benefits; skills development; community interaction; and, voluntary work contribution. Schools receive a FREE safety lesson and resources.

Ultimately it is hoped that children share safety messages at home, remember them into adulthood and fatalities and injuries involving electricity reduce.

2. The ScottishPower Young Apprentice (YA) engineering work experience programme is a unique vocational programme delivered on Merseyside and Glasgow in partnership with local schools/colleges and Glasgow City Council.

It encourages 24 14-16 year old students to complement their school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) studies by spending 45 days work experience in a safe, controlled work environment. Students attending the programme will have a clear interest in science & engineering and anticipate achieving high GCSE/Standard grades in their related qualifications.

ScottishPower is strategically supporting this formal 14-16 employer led work experience programme to encourage progression into advanced apprenticeships, whilst it increases talent pools and develops new recruitment streams.

The programme provides development opportunities in the following ways:

• Students convert classroom theory into practice demonstrating the relevance of engineering principles within the workplace;
• Students gain industry awareness;
• Students achieve the Diploma in Engineering & Certificate of Employability (England), Intermediate Certificate Engineering Skills (Scotland)
• Students provided with opportunities to explore future employment opportunities and career progression routes within our sector.
• What does the work experience programme cover for students?
• Work experience in utility related occupations in areas such as fitting, overhead lines, jointing, metering, operational safety and engineering;
• Health a& Safety (H&S) awareness by completing HSE 4-day first aid course
• Work related experience in electrical installation achieving skills and knowledge in alarm installation and different types of lighting circuits;
• Multi Skilling Training covering the dangers of electricity, legislation and regulations;
• Site visits to 2 Power Stations Electric Mountain & Whitelee Wind Farm;
• Work related experience in a ScottishPower control centre, which monitors the electricity network;
• Customer Service skills required by our workforce.

Key Business Benefit (1): Increases sector attractiveness and the flow of potential young talent into the workforce and supports the business recruitment requirements.
Key Business Benefit (2): Provides the potential to increase and maximise development opportunities for existing employees.
Key Society Benefit (1): Raising the aspiration of young people through practical work experience and gaining of qualifications.
Key Society Benefit (2): Supports the economic sustainability of our local communities.