There is a budding generation of potential energy industry recruits out there if we, as adults, manage to push the right buttons and capture their enthusiasm.
With that in mind, Talisman Energy has teamed up with Aberdeen’s Wood Group to support the Junior Engineer for Britain K’NEX Challenge 2009 in the north-east of Scotland.
This has attracted entries from more than 80 primary schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Pupils from Primary 4-6 will be battling it out for a place in the regional final in Europe’s Energy Capital, Aberdeen, next month. The winners will then head to Dundee, the City of Discovery, and the national final before the summer break.
Walker Road Primary, Aberdeen, is the latest to take part in the 2009 contest, with P4 girls Georgia Brodie and Jeva Dzindzeletaite qualifying for the final.
The challenge is organised and delivered by TechFest-SetPoint and provides a fun way of introducing youngsters to the concept of designing and building their own working models from K’NEX.
Talisman’s UK senior vice-president, Nick Walker, says it is vital to engage with potential recruits at an early age and that the K’NEX Challenge is a fun way to show the many opportunities that exist in engineering.
“While we may be facing challenging times at the moment, the oil&gas industry still needs to engage with people who may take up a career in the North Sea in years to come.
“Demonstrating an engineering solution to these young children through a hands-on, fun activity may well help to open their eyes to the idea of a career in our industry when they come to make that decision later in their lives.”
Wood Group’s CEO, Allister Langlands, is equally enthusiastic about the competition.
“This is the sixth year that Wood Group has sponsored the Junior Engineer for Britain K’NEX Challenge 2009 (formerly Young Engineers K’NEX Challenge) and we are delighted to be co-sponsoring this year’s event with Talisman.
“Although it’s a fun event, the children take the competition very seriously and choosing a winner from the teams’ fantastic K’NEX models is a challenge for our young graduate engineers.”