Tai Calon was recently invited to collaborate with Careers Wales through their Work in Focus challenge, an initiative designed to connect real world careers with classroom learning.

 

While we already work closely with Careers Wales, taking part in a full project felt like a great opportunity to do something more impactful.

In response, our Communications and Sustainability teams developed a challenge centred around our Net Zero ambitions, giving students the opportunity to explore how renewable energy projects are delivered in practice, and the wide range of careers involved.

The challenge has now been rolled out to a Year 8 class at Abertillery Learning Community in Blaenau Gwent, where students have been tasked with stepping into the role of a communications team, creating campaigns to engage customers and build understanding of renewable energy. Working in groups, students were given a specific audience and renewable technology. They have been tasked with developing a communications plan and creating a usable resource (from leaflets and posters to videos and social media content) tailored to their chosen audience.

To support this, students carried out a questionnaire with staff, peers and family members, gathering insight into current perceptions of renewables, retrofit and Net Zero. This will allow us to measure how their campaigns shift understanding and attitudes.

After four lessons exploring the project, students are now developing their ideas ahead of final presentations in summer, delivered Dragon’s Den-style. These sessions will showcase their creativity, understanding and ability to respond to real-world challenges. The outcomes of the challenge, alongside a suite of resources developed by the students, will be available this summer, supporting the future delivery of our renewable projects and helping to embed this approach more widely.

The work has already been recognised, with Tai Calon being nominated for an award at the Careers Wales Valued Partner Awards. This reflects not only this project, but our ongoing commitment to meaningful engagement with young people across Blaenau Gwent. With the continued support of Careers Wales, Tai Calon will keep playing an active role in inspiring future talent, supporting education, and contributing to a more sustainable future for our communities.