More than 100 Scottish secondary schools are now participating in a skills-based education programme that connects schools and businesses to prepare young people for sustainable careers.

As of the 2024-25 academic year, roughly one-third of all Scottish secondary schools have classes enrolled in the Powering Futures Schools Challenge, an SCQF Level 6 certified programme. 

Students choose from one of five challenges, which are problems crafted by business partners for which students need to create solutions and present their findings at the end of the programme.

When Bathgate Academy signed on to Powering Futures this year, it became the fourth school in the country – after Annan Academy, Portobello High School and Tobermory High School – to enrol its entire S6 year group in the programme.

Powering Futures was co-founded by Jennifer Tempany and David Reid in 2020. They wanted to bridge a gap they noticed between businesses' needs and the skills students learn in school.

Powering Futures co-founder David Reid introduced staff, students and business partners at a panel discussion at Bathgate Academy.Powering Futures co-founder David Reid introduced staff, students and business partners at a panel discussion at Bathgate Academy. (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography 2024)

Mr Reid said that, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the connections between businesses and education had "fractured," with added pressures on teachers making it difficult for the two sides to synchronise.

He said businesses wanted to be in schools, and schools wanted businesses to be involved, but there didn't seem to be time to make it happen.

Mr Reid said the Schools Challenge programme was designed to minimise staff workload and be accessible to all students, regardless of their interests or backgrounds.

"If you've got a little aptitude and a little effort, you can go through this programme and have a good outcome."

It also has the added benefit of giving business partners a reason to visit schools regularly, which pays dividends for students.

"It gives them a chance to see real-life business scenarios and ask questions of people outwith the teaching world, and it has helped to build a stronger bridge between the two."

As part of those efforts, Powering Futures organised a roundtable discussion at Bathgate Academy as part of the launch event to introduce students to their challenges and speak directly with the business leaders who set their tasks.

Bathgate Academy S6 student Hannah Sloan, left, classmate Vyaan Dhokia, Ian Steele of BAM, headteacher Eileen Paxton and Joanne Melarkey of AECOM during the Bathgate launch event.Bathgate Academy S6 student Hannah Sloan, left, classmate Vyaan Dhokia, Ian Steele of BAM, headteacher Eileen Paxton and Joanne Melarkey of AECOM during the Bathgate launch event. (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography 2024)

Fostering work skills is a key goal for Powering Futures, but Mr Reid said that the opportunities for communication between students and employers is just as important.

He said that the Bathgate roundtable "highlights the critical need for business and education to collaborate and ensure that young people are not only made aware of the opportunities available to them but to ensure that they are accessing the essential skills that will ensure a sustainable pipeline for the workforce of the future.

“Our challenge setters are pioneers in creating the workforce of the future.”

Ian Steele from civil engineering company BAM said that employers are facing an urgent challenge themselves: replenishing an ageing workforce with young people who can provide not only new blood but also new ideas and modern skills. 

Getting to speak with students through programmes such as Powering Futures is an important step in the process, he said.

One student said that he appreciated how real the challenge project felt, and how speaking to business partners at school helped him to conceptualise the problem.

"It's really useful because these business leaders have real experience of what we'd need in the workplace. In school, you're kind of given a task and then you do it.

"But that's not really how it is in the workplace, where you're given a problem like this challenge and need to create a solution on your own."

Teacher Lorna Robinson was first introduced to Powering Futures and helped bring it to Bathgate Academy.Teacher Lorna Robinson was first introduced to Powering Futures and helped bring it to Bathgate Academy. (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography 2024)

Bathgate headteacher Eileen Paxton said that the school is already impressed by the Powering Futures Challenge and is considering expanding to more year groups.

“We have seen a number of benefits for our young people, meta-skill development, greater awareness of issues, collaboration and greater understanding of the opportunities presented to them through industry.

"The programme provides valuable knowledge and encourages skills that align with personal development and societal needs."

Maths teacher Lorna Robinson, who was instrumental in bringing Powring Futures to Bathgate, said that she understood how students feel and why sometimes teachers aren't the most effective spokespeople for helping them understand the demands of working life.

"Students can leave with as many Highers or Advanced Highers as they can achieve, but to make it in the world you need something apart from that. 

"You're not just going to be able to get all these qualifications and do exactly what you want to do. You still have to know how to be a citizen of the world, how to do your bit and be successful."