Inspiring the next generation of energy professionals in Perthshire
13 July 2026
Image: The Discovery Days brought together pupils from Perth Academy, Perth High School, Bertha Park High School and Blairgowrie High School
More than 40 pupils from four Perthshire secondary schools have gained a first-hand insight into the world of work at SSEN Transmission through two successful Discovery Days held in our busy Perth headquarters.
The fully booked events brought together pupils from Perth Academy, Perth High School, Bertha Park High School and Blairgowrie High School, providing an opportunity to learn about careers in the energy sector, explore the skills needed for the workplace and discover the wide range of opportunities available through our early careers programmes.
Designed to help young people better understand life at SSEN Transmission, the two-day programme introduced pupils to colleagues from across the business and showcased the diverse range of roles involved in delivering our £29bn investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland.
Throughout the events, pupils heard directly from business leaders and professionals working in project engineering, regulation, transmission operations and project management, gaining valuable insights into their career journeys and the skills they use every day.
Interactive activities formed a key part of the experience, with students taking part in tower and grid-building challenges, skills mapping workshops and practical Safety, Health and Wellbeing (SHW) sessions. The programme also included discussions with graduates and trainees, who shared their own experiences of joining SSEN Transmission and developing their careers within the business.
Image: Pupils took park in interactive challenges to help build on leadership, problem-solving and team working skills
A strong focus was placed on leadership and transferable skills throughout both days, helping pupils recognise the qualities they already possess and how they can apply them in future careers. Participants explored communication, teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making skills through a variety of group exercises and challenges.
The programme concluded with pupils delivering five-minute presentations reflecting on their key learnings and experiences from the two days.
The Discovery Days proved more popular than ever, with participation rising from 27 pupils in 2025 to more than 40 this year.
Nicky Gadsden, Early Careers Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:
"These Discovery Days are all about helping young people understand the wide variety of career opportunities available within our business and giving them the confidence to see how their existing skills can translate into the workplace.
"It was fantastic to welcome pupils from across Perthshire and see them engage so positively with our colleagues, ask thoughtful questions and embrace the practical challenges throughout the programme.
"The energy sector needs talented people from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, and we hope these events have inspired many of the participants to consider a future career with SSEN Transmission."
Pupils took part in a packed programme that included a business panel Q&A, a trainee and graduate panel discussion, leadership-focused workshops, recruitment guidance and hands-on engineering activities. They also received practical advice on navigating recruitment processes and preparing for future applications.
We hope to welcome many of the participants back as applicants for our 2027 early careers opportunities, which are expected to open for applications in autumn 2026.