National Grid’s CEO Takes the Spotlight on Skill Shortages
Why Schools Need a Fresh Face‑to‑Face Chat with Kids
Sure, everyone loves to blame dusty classroom walls for the disappearing skill set, but let’s face it – the real fix comes when teachers meet the real people: the students.
Supply & Demand, Even for Power Companies
At National Grid we don’t hand out lights; we’re the bridge keeping the whole grid humming. It’s all about balancing supply and demand so everybody has safe, sustainable energy right on cue.
The Talent Crunch: 87,000 Needed vs 51,000 Enrolled
- Demand: Engineering needs 87,000 new grads each year.
- Supply: Only 51,000 are actually stepping into that world.
- Result: A widening talent gap that’s eating at us.
Dreams of Future Careers – Super‑heroes, Astronauts, Vets
Ask a room full of six‑year‑olds what they want to be when they grow up, and you’ll get a rainbow spectrum – vet, astronaut, superhero. Those fantasy sketches are stitched from books, shows, and people all around them. That’s why the early spark matters.
National Grid’s School Power Program – Sparking STEM in the Playground
This initiative drops real‑world engineering into primary classrooms, because no kid is too young to get a taste of STEM. It’s a joint venture, where industry meets teaching on the same playground to inspire and ignite.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Over 1 million of the 18‑to‑24 wage‑gap generation are unemployed.
- 58% of new jobs since 2017 need strong STEM foundations.
- Less than 10% of A‑level students pick up physics—a crucial subject for engineers.
Bottom line: we’re teaching our future workforce straight out of the job market. So if we want to bridge tomorrow’s skills shortage, let’s get schools and industry chatting before those young minds even hit the sandbox. National Grid’s School Power is just the starting line.
Why Careers Starts Early: The Power Play of Careers Lab
Picture this: an 11‑year‑old staring at a school hallway, dreaming of becoming an astronaut, a chef, or a dragon‑taming queen—yes, we’re kidding—but seriously, that’s the moment we’re talking about.
National Grid, HS2, Costain, Capgemini, and the whole crew are stepping into the classroom like superheroes. They’re not just talking about careers; they’re actually living it beside the teacher with the kids. Imagine a business ambassador sharing their day‑to‑day story over a cup of coffee while the students are making worksheets. That’s Career Lab at work.
What’s the Big Idea?
- Start Early: 2,000 kids are part of the pilot—starting at grade 6 before the big decision day.
- Real‑World Vibes: Students get the buzz of actual work life, not just textbook theory.
- Future CEOs in the Making: The goal? Hands‑on growth for tomorrow’s leaders. It’s like a boot camp for brains.
- Bridge the Skills Gap: Instead of pointing fingers, we’re building the actual bridge.
Beyond the Classroom: Vocational Reality Check
Vocational education is still seen as “second‑class.” We’re on a mission to change this narrative. The plan? Partner up louder with colleges, universities, and even design our own programs.
And here’s the kicker: no talented student should have to walk away with a diploma and a lifetime of “what if.”
Putting the Community on the Map
Business in the Community’s Generation Talent urges companies to rewrite their hiring playbook. If you’re letting young talent slip through the cracks, it’s time for a professional makeover.
We’re teaming with The Prince’s Trust and Movement to Work to sprinkle a dash of work experience into the mix. Because, let’s face it, “no role for the unskilled” is a myth we’re ready to bust in the supply chain arena.
The Ultimate Challenge for Businesses
“We have no place for low‑educated folks in our stacks,” you argue? Here’s the twist: What about the folks feeding our supply chain?
Let’s invite them on the guest list. I’m talking about group projects, internships, and real‑pool deployment—the kind of opportunities that turn a casual worker into an official “talent.”
Britain’s Real Secret Weapon
It’s not the banks, not the politics, not the pylons. It’s the people. They’re the unseen anchors pulling and propelling the country. If we want balanced growth, we’ve got to stitch together business and education like a well‑stitched quilt.
So, gather round! Because the next time you think of careers, imagine the classroom full of stories and possibilities spinning into a future that’s not just bright but outrageously sparkling.
Read Securing Britain’s Growth online now:London business leaders tackle boosting enterprise, nurturing talent, growing exports, driving digital and securing growth in key industry sectors
Our securing Britain series:
SECURING BRITAIN’S TALENT
SECURING BRITAIN’S FUTURE
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