Drax is taking significant steps to equip young people with the skills necessary to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, offering exciting new opportunities through virtual work experiences and training programmes. By partnering with the Springpod platform and Selby College, Drax is fostering a generation of engineers who will play a crucial role in tackling climate change through innovation.
The company’s collaboration with Springpod has resulted in the launch of its first Project Sprint, designed for students aged 14-19. This virtual experience immerses participants in the role of a Process Engineer working on Drax’s Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) project. The initiative allows students to engage with carbon capture processes, tackle real-world challenges, and explore ways to enhance safety and efficiency in energy systems. The learning experience, which combines engaging videos and workbooks, encourages students to develop problem-solving skills that will serve them in future careers, particularly in engineering fields related to carbon capture.
Drax’s efforts go beyond this virtual programme. Through a partnership with Selby College, the company is also offering an in-depth CCS skills bootcamp, aimed at upskilling employees at Drax Power Station. This bootcamp provides essential training in BECCS technologies, preparing workers for the critical role these innovations will play in achieving the UK’s net-zero targets. More than 50 engineers have already completed the programme, enhancing their knowledge and skills as part of the ongoing deployment of BECCS at the station.
In addition to providing current employees with valuable CCS training, Drax is committed to developing future talent. The Project Sprint is just one example of this commitment, giving students valuable insight into the technical aspects of carbon capture and the energy sector. As Max Apedaile, a student from Selby College, stated, learning about the BECCS project has sparked his interest in the future of engineering, a field that will be integral to the fight against climate change.
The focus on educating young people about carbon capture reflects Drax’s broader strategy to create a sustainable energy future. Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station, emphasised the importance of developing the next generation of engineers, particularly as projects like BECCS will create thousands of skilled jobs in the region. These initiatives are helping prepare young people to take on leadership roles in sustainable energy innovations.
The CCS bootcamp is also helping current Drax employees advance their skills. Participants, such as Emily Cooper, a Health, Safety, and Environment Co-ordinator at Drax, have shared how the programme has given them valuable insights into scaling up carbon capture processes. Others, like Apprentice Technician Centime Breach-Frank, have noted how the bootcamp has opened new career opportunities, deepening their understanding of carbon capture theory.
Drax’s collaboration with Springpod and Selby College is just the beginning of a long-term effort to develop green skills in the workforce. Looking ahead, the company plans to launch a comprehensive eight-module virtual work experience programme in 2025, aimed at over 400,000 students across the UK. These initiatives are positioning Drax as a leader in shaping the future of sustainable energy and ensuring the success of carbon capture technologies.
Drax’s innovative training and virtual work experience programmes are helping to bridge the skills gap in the energy sector, preparing the next generation of engineers to lead in the fight against climate change. Through partnerships with Springpod and Selby College, and a commitment to ongoing education, Drax is playing a pivotal role in developing the expertise required for the deployment of carbon capture technologies in the future.
Drax Group plc (LON:DRX), trading as Drax, is a power generation business. The principal downstream enterprises are based in the UK and include Drax Power Limited, which runs the biomass fuelled Drax power station, near Selby in North Yorkshire.
