SHERINGHAM SHOAL

The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm Visitor Centre

In the autumn of 2016, the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund awarded a grant to Inspired Youth to deliver a programme aimed at motivating girls in North Norfolk to consider a career in engineering or energy

To further this initiative, Inspired Youth is hosting a conference at The Mo in Sheringham, the home of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm Visitor Centre, on 23 June 2017 in celebration of this year’s ‘International Women in Engineering Day’.

The conference is a new element of a programme aimed at inspiring young females in five North Norfolk secondary schools to consider studying the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics - subjects that many girls have often resisted in the past - and which can provide the stepping-stones to careers in both engineering and energy. It is anticipated that the conference will be attended by around 50 girls and their teachers.

Tom James, General Manager of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, which is operated by Statoil, commented: “The growing UK offshore wind energy industry has identified a need for a much greater take-up of careers in these disciplines. It is also an area where young women are under-represented, a situation which we at Sheringham Shoal are keen to help redress.”

Inspired Youth has been delivering events aimed at helping young people in schools and colleges across the east of England to make informed career choices since 2010, and Chief Executive Natalie Davis has high expectations of the conference. She said:

“Inspired Youth events routinely involve participation from teachers, employers and young people. Our aim is to open young people’s minds to opportunities not previously considered, and this is what we expect the conference in celebration of women in engineering to achieve.”

She added: “It is excellent that we are able to hold the conference in The Mo, as the Sheringham Shoal Visitor Centre will give all the delegates a chance to learn more about exactly what is involved in constructing and running an offshore wind farm.”