22nd July by Amy Farrow
px Group, the leading energy and industrial solutions business, and North Sea Midstream Partners (NSMP) are thrilled to facilitate the Children Challenging Industry (CCI) programme for the third year in a row at Teesside Gas Processing Plant (pxTGPP) in partnership with York University.
The CCI programme is designed to spark an interest in science-based subjects and raise awareness about STEM careers amongst primary school children. After partaking in science-based lessons, px Group welcomes pupils to the Teesside Gas Processing Plant (TGPP), which it operates, to provide practical insights into how the subject matter and theory is applied on site.
px Group and NSMP’s involvement in the CCI programme goes towards funding teachers who provide specialised lessons on science-based subjects to primary school children aged 9-11. Working closely with York University, the teachers are equipped with all necessary materials and knowledge required to deliver the lessons. The programme culminates in an exciting trip to TGPP, where the teacher accompanies the children and guides an interactive tour with site operatives, in order to help pupils contextualize their knowledge within industry.
As part of its ongoing commitment to CCI, px Group facilitated the programme virtually during the pandemic and is now thrilled to be able to welcome pupils back to the site for a face-to-face tour once again. The remarkable CCI programme exists to provide opportunities for children to experience how science can be applied within industry, in an effort to spur their curiosity and feed their interest in the subject matter.
Katie Woods-Ruddick continues: “At px Group we take enormous pride in being involved as much as possible with the communities we operate in up and down the country. The CCI programme is another example of that. It does outstanding work with children and is incredibly committed to helping children explore new opportunities – exemplified by the way the programme pivoted during the pandemic.”
Adds Nicky Waller, Advisory Teacher with the Children Challenging Industry programme across the north-east region: “We are delighted that px are participating in Children Challenging Industry. The scheme begins with learning carried out in the classroom and then it is vital that the children have an understanding of how this knowledge can be applied in the workplace. It is only through site visits that this can be achieved.”
Richard Ozsanlav, Chief Financial Officer at NSMP says: “One of our core values as a business is to play a positive role in our communities, and so, we are delighted to be part of this great initiative which raises awareness of STEM among young people and, ideally, inspires them to pursue STEM career paths. The importance of STEM in today’s world cannot be overemphasized and, due to technological advancement, the demand for STEM roles continue to increase. The brilliant work of the CCI Programme will help ensure that there are no skills gaps in meeting the future demand for STEM roles, and ultimately, this will help boost our future economic growth.”
