Powering the future: Powerday champions future talent with school enrichment days

Powerday, London’s leading waste management and recycling company, is pioneering industry-driven school enrichment days in partnership with local councils and schools to support youth development.

The participating schools – The London Oratory School, Fulham Cross Academy School, and Gateshead College (East London campus) – recently visited Powerday’s materials recycling facility to provide students with a hands-on, engaging introduction into the construction and waste management sector.

Aligned with Powerday’s 2024 manifesto, the school enrichment days aim to bridge the gap between education and industry by informing students about apprenticeships, recruitment processes, and career expectations. The initiative underscores one of the manifesto’s five key pillars, emphasising the importance of practical learning and professional development.

The programme is also tailored to complement existing academic courses, such as HND Engineering and Construction, BTEC Construction, and A-level Geography, with a particular focus on careers in sustainability and construction.

The school enrichment days begin with a tour of their state-of-the-art materials recycling facility, offering a comprehensive overview of the business operations. Following the tour, students participate in workshops led by Powerday staff from various departments, providing them with insights into different career paths within the company.

Powerday also collaborates with external partners, including the Construction Youth Trust, to deliver engaging workshops such as “The Hidden Roles in Construction” and discussions on the diverse career opportunities within the industry – as well as several clients including Wates, Keltbray, Bouygues, Vistry and Hill. Additionally, from a personal finance perspective, Santander Bank offers essential skills workshops like MoneySense and budgeting sessions tailored for young people.

Kevin Beckles, Social Sustainability Advisor at Powerday, said: “Our school enrichment days are designed to inspire and empower young people, offering them a wide range of learning opportunities with a strong emphasis on personal growth and construction-related apprenticeships. We are thrilled to continue collaborating with local schools and colleges to deliver social value that aligns with our mutual goals. This initiative not only highlights Powerday’s commitment to leading in waste management and recycling, but also demonstrates our dedication to education and community development, preparing the next generation for successful careers in the construction and recycling industries.”

Ceci Adams from The London Oratory School, said: “It was informative, relevant, and really engaging for all the pupils. They felt it was beneficial to the subject knowledge and they said they would definitely recommend a trip like that again for next year’s cohort.”

This is the first of many work related school enrichment day programmes on offer throughout this year and Powerday will be working with several other schools around London in a bid to bolster their ever-growing range of Social Value Initiatives.