RENFREWSHIRE PUPILS TAKE PART IN PIONEERING SUSTAINABILITY SKILLS SHOWCASE AT POWERING FUTURES LIVE

Pupils from Renfrewshire took to the stage at Hampden Park as they participated in Powering Futures Live – a series of regional showcase events which brought over 2,000 pupils from across the country to some of Scotland’s most iconic venues to present to, and network with, over 300 business leaders working across Scotland’s economy. 

438 pupils took part in two days of live events at Hampden Park on the 18th and 19th March. Representing the Renfrewshire region were pupils from Johnstone High School who worked in teams to research, develop answers to real world challenges posed by leading Scottish businesses, before taking to the stage at Hampden Park to showcase their innovative solutions and presenting to a panel of expert judges.

Powering Futures Live, which was sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland, marks the end of a year-long journey for participants in the Powering Futures Schools Challenge Programme, bringing education and industry together for a series of regional events at Ayr Racecourse, The Crichton, Stirling Court Hotel, Pittodrie Stadium, Ross Country FC, Hampden Park, Easter Road and Murrayfield stadium.

This academic year marked the largest participation in the Powering Futures programme to date, with over 100 schools across the country and around 2,300 pupils taking part for 2025-2026. Having undertaken their final presentations at Powering Futures Live, all participants are now expected to earn an SCQF Level 6 qualification – equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

The challenges for this year’s cohort were set by leading Scottish industries, reflecting the priorities shaping Scotland’s future economy:

• Seafood Scotland – ‘Fish-Tales’: Helping Scots to rediscover their local superfood by designing a campaign that reconnects Scottish people with local sustainable seafood 
• Vital Energi with the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) and HCI Skills Gateway – ‘Hot Stuff’: Design a town for 2,500 new homes that showcases the opportunities that new heating technology offers – creating communities where heating is affordable, efficient and low carbon
• BAM and Siemens Energy – ‘Watt’s Next?’:  creating a nine-month timeline of experiences and events that redesigns how young people can discover careers in clean energy, and be connected with potential employers
• SSEN Transmission – ‘Power-Up’: Create a plan for moving the equipment and materials for new electricity infrastructure to a remote environment whilst minimising the impact to local communities and the environment. 

Industry mentors from these organisations worked directly with pupils in the classroom, guiding their research and helping develop creative solutions, directly bridging the gap between education and business and helping employers to engage with the workforce of the future. 

Powering Futures was established in 2020 to empower young people with the skills, critical thinking and confidence to enter the workplace. At its heart is the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, which tasks teams of S5 and S6 pupils with solving a problem set by industry. The programme supports pupils in developing skills in teamwork, problem-solving and presenting, and culminates with pupils presenting their creative solutions to a panel of industry judges. At the end of the process, participants will gain a SCQF Level 6 qualification, equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

Jennfier Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures said:

“We were delighted to have pupils from Renfewshire take to the stage at Hampden Park  and we were blown away by the innovation and creativity in their final presentations.

“This has been our biggest cohort of young people taking part in the Powering Futures Challenge programme, and Powering Futures Live marks the pinnacle of their exciting journey. 

“What makes Powering Futures Live so special is the way it brings education and business directly together, giving young people the opportunity to showcase their talent, harness their skills and present the solutions they have collaborated on for the past year. 

“A special thank you to our event sponsors Zero Waste Scotland, and all of our judges who came along and provided invaluable feedback to the presenters. 

“By empowering young people through our pioneering Powering Futures Challenge Programme, we can help them develop the critical skills that employers are looking for in their future workforce as well as establishing those essential links between the businesses of today and the workers of tomorrow who will power Scotland’s future.”

Helen Lavery, Business Support Manager from Zero Waste Scotland said: 

“Zero Waste Scotland is delighted to partner with Powering Futures once again to support Powering Futures Live. What makes this programme unique is that it equips young people with expert circular economy skills before they’ve even started their first job.

“By embedding circularity into a national qualification and facilitating connections between young people at the outset of their careers with professionals across sectors, Powering Futures is doing more than teaching theory. The programme is nurturing a talent pipeline of future leaders who will be equipped to innovate. This collaboration is vital for driving Scotland’s progress, ensuring the next generation has the knowledge, skills and relationships to transform Scotland’s economy from a linear system to a thriving circular economy.”