International School Aberdeen (ISA) is at the forefront of shaping education to meet the changing needs of the future global energy industry.
While the sector is well equipped to deal with transition, education plays a vital role in readying the future workforce to meet changes in technology and shifting global energy targets.
Change is one of the bedrocks that defines us and sectors including oil, gas, marine, and transportation have changed beyond recognition in a generation.
Predicting future trends and preparing for a more technologically advanced world amid socio-economic changes, means our approach needs to change from the ground up – and that can only be achieved by adapting the way we educate our young people. After all, they are the future of the industry and will be working in a dramatically different global operating environment from the one we see today.
Taking this into account, the most pressing question is: “What education will best prepare our children for the future?”
At ISA, we realise our children may have jobs that don’t yet exist, or work in traditional jobs that are performed very differently. More and more routine tasks, including high level analytical ones, will be done by computers, while decision making, social skills and creativity will remain resolutely human.
Schools like ISA are used to dealing with change and one of the lessons we have learnt is that while academic skills and the right certificates remain important, they are not enough by themselves to thrive in a changing world. Resilience is more important than ever and, at ISA, we ensure every student graduates as prepared as possible to succeed no matter what career path or destination they choose.
ISA understands that, just like the energy industry, if you don’t have a clear sense of purpose and a strong sense of values, change isn’t development. It’s chaos.
We educate 50 nationalities in an environment that encourages not just mutual tolerance, but active learning from peers. The collaborative skills that companies value are encouraged by lessons which routinely encourage discussion, debate and engagement with a wider world.
Our students are curious about the world around them and they ask questions to connect new experiences to existing knowledge.
In recent years, for example, we have successfully introduced computational thinking as a core skill alongside literacy and numeracy. It aims for every student to leave school able to program a computer, construct a database and perform data analysis.
Being international, ISA is not tied to national systems, but much like multinational energy companies, we take best practice from around the world.
ISA provides an inclusive education from age 3 – 18 and is committed to excellence for each and every child. We have a student population of 500, of which 50% are locals.
ISA boasts world class facilities, a highly qualified staff, internationally recognised curriculums, but what has seen it through the last few years of rapid change is a strong sense of values and an eye on the future.
Discover more about how an ISA education will best prepare your children to thrive in a complex, modern world, by visiting www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk where you will also find information on our Virtual Open Day on Friday, March 4.
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