In collaboration with Springpod, an award-winning careers exploration platform, Drax has launched Project Sprint, which gives students aged 14-19 a virtual experience of working as a Process Engineer as part of its BECCS project. Alongside this, Drax is offering employees at Drax Power Station the chance to upskill their CCS knowledge through an in-depth bootcamp in partnership with Selby College.
Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station said, “Drax’s commitment to developing the next generation of engineers is integral to our strategy for a sustainable future and both Project Springpod and our CCS Skills Bootcamp will give young people the pathway to play a part in this future."
“BECCS will bring thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs to the local region and it is imperative that we equip young people with the skills to design and implement not only BECCS at Drax Power Station, but the CCS projects of the future, which will be critical in the fight against climate change.”
The new initiatives are part of Drax’s ongoing efforts to equip young people with the expertise they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving energy industry and help tackle climate change through innovative carbon capture solutions.
The Project Sprint is an online learning simulation, developed by Drax’s Early Careers Development team and Capital Projects engineering experts. Students will step into the shoes of a Process Engineer at Drax Power Station, exploring the role’s involvement in the BECCS project at the power station. Through a series of engaging videos and a work booklet, students will learn about the process of capturing carbon emissions, identifying potential problems, and finding solutions to ensure safety and efficiency.
Springpod’s Project Sprint allows students to learn about CCS using interactive modules.
The interactive module will give students a valuable insight into the technical aspects of carbon capture technology, while developing problem-solving skills that will support their future careers. The project also aims to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, particularly in projects such as BECCS, which will play a pivotal role in helping the UK meet its net-zero targets.
“I really enjoyed taking part in the Process Engineer virtual work experience,” said Max Apedaile, a student from Selby College who participated in the programme. “It was interesting learning about the system Drax uses for carbon capture. This is going to be a huge part of the future of engineering, and it’s important for young people like me to get involved and understand how it works.”
In addition to the Project Sprint, the CCS Skills Bootcamp, provides in-depth training in BECCS technologies, empowering the workforce of tomorrow to be leaders in sustainable energy innovation. So far over 50 Drax engineers have completed the programme, designed to upskill them ahead of BECCS deployment.
Plans to deploy BECCS at Drax Power Station will require the upskilling and re-skilling of both the current and future workforce, with programmes such as the CCS skills bootcamp and Springpod’s Project Sprint proving crucial to support the 10,000 jobs BECCS will bring, and make the Yorkshire/Humber region a global centre for excellence in green skills.
Sam Hyams, co-founder and CEO of Springpod, said, “Carbon capture is emerging as one of the most promising technologies in dealing with climate change. It’s critical that the next generation of young people entering the industry are equipped with the right skills. Drax’s expertise in this area provides young people with unparalleled insight and gives them the chance to test their hard skills and learn from real-world feedback.”
Drax’s collaboration with Springpod is just the beginning of these efforts to engage with and develop future talent. The company is also in the process of developing an eight-module virtual work experience programme, launching in 2025, which will be shared with over 400,000 students across the UK. This initiative will further empower young people to pursue careers in the growing sector of carbon capture and sustainable energy.