Scotland's Economy

Girls into Energy

April 10, 2014 by Jillian Sime No Comments | Category Economy, Uncategorized

Since completing her Skills for Work Energy course Jillian Sime is now working at Score Europe, a company specialising in the supply and service of valves and components for the oil and gas industries worldwide. Here, Jillian talks about her experience in studying, training and working in a dynamic energy sector.

I first wanted to become an engineer when I began the Skills for Work Energy course at Banff and Buchan College (now North East Scotland College) in 2011. I first heard about the course in my second year at Mintlaw Academy when I attended a presentation from a former “energy girl” who had completed the course.

I started Skills for Work Energy (or Girls into Energy as it is known) in my third year alongside other female pupils from my Academy and my eyes were opened to all aspects of the energy industry, including all the variety of jobs on offer.

As well as learning about the different oil extractions and engineering related topics, the course provided us all with the opportunity of building our communication skills. On many occasions the group was required to speak publicly in front of lots of people – this has made me far more confident.

During the two years it took to complete the course and gain my SQA Energy qualification we went on loads of trips and met other girls from local Academies in the area who were also “energy girls” – Turriff, Peterhead, Ellon and Meldrum. Getting together as one large group meant that it was possible for us all to share our knowledge.

One of my highlights was attending the annual Girls Energy conference at Woodbank, Shell’s hotel, conference and leisure facility in Aberdeen. The theme was reducing carbon emissions where we were divided into teams representing biomass, offshore wind and carbon capture. We had to work together to put forward an argument of why our group should be awarded the funding.

I’ve also built a turbine and solar plane which was great fun. I learnt how to use different machines in the College workshop which has helped me a lot since I have joined Score, my employer, in Peterhead. I chose to become an engineer after speaking to other women who had become engineers and listening to how much they enjoy their jobs.

I would recommend the course at North East Scotland College to other girls because you gain experiences that you don’t get with any other class at school. I’ve met a variety of people and seen examples of engineering and technology in action.

I choose to apply to Score because they have a good apprenticeship programme and, after just finishing my first year, I can honestly say it has been great. I have learnt loads of new things which I know will help me out in my future career. I am looking forward to moving into my next department where I will learn even more.

The energy course has been a stepping stone which has helped me find my career path – without doing the course I wouldn’t be in a job that I love.

Fiona Johnston, Apprentice Co-Ordinator at Score Europe comments, “Score Europe are delighted to be a partner in the girls into energy initiative. It is vital to raise the profile and give access to information to the opportunities available within the energy sector for females. It provides the students an insight into the skills required and the wider application to help plan the correct career choice. Score have successfully recruited a number of “energy girls” onto our award winning apprenticeship programme and hope to continue to do so and increase on those numbers year on year.”

Tags: education, energy, MAs, modern apprentice, oil and gas, training

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