Classroom to Careers Programme Launches at Alternative Heat

Inspiring the Next Generation of Talent

Alternative Heat welcomed 28 students from St Malachy’s High School for the first employer visit as part of the school’s Classroom to Careers project, funded by the James Kane Foundation. The project aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by connecting classroom learning with real-world industry experience. Through employer-led workshops, industry visits, mentoring and work-shadowing, students can explore STEM, develop employability skills and learn more about vocational pathways, including apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers. Alternative Heat was delighted to be among the first businesses to take part, welcoming the students for a day of exploration, practical learning and conversations with people working across the business.It was also encouraging to see a strong balance of boys and girls among the students taking part.

By giving young people the chance to see modern engineering and manufacturing up close, initiatives such as Classroom to Careers can help challenge traditional perceptions and highlight the range of opportunities available to everyone in the industry.

Exploring engineering in practice The visit began with a welcome from our People & Talent team and a Health & Safety briefing before students toured our Scarva, Gilford and Banbridge manufacturing and assembly facilities. Following the process from pipe arrival and fabrication through to welding, blasting, painting, assembly and dispatch, students gained first-hand insight into how components are manufactured and how our teams contribute to delivering major projects.

Real people, real career pathways Students heard from Alternative Heat employees who joined the business through Higher Level Apprenticeships and university placement programmes. Their experiences offered a practical insight into the different routes into engineering and demonstrated how work-based learning can develop into a long-term career.The day finished with a team engineering challenge. Working from technical drawings, students collaborated to build a three-zone heating module, putting their problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills to the test while getting a taste of the practical challenges involved in engineering.

Reflecting on the visit, Peter Hynes (job title) commented:
“The team at Alternative Heat provided an exceptional experience, giving students a real insight into engineering, manufacturing and sustainable energy through hands-on activities, interactive workshops and conversations with professionals from across the business. Students explored the wide range of careers and skills that contribute to delivering major projects.
What stood out most was the culture. Every member of staff was welcoming, approachable and passionate about their work. They didn’t just showcase their company; they invested in our young people, helping them understand the opportunities available in a modern engineering business.”

Supporting the next generation of talent Like many businesses across engineering and construction, Alternative Heat recognises the importance of developing future talent and helping young people understand the opportunities available to them. St Malachy’s Classroom to Careers project provides a valuable link between education and industry, allowing students to see how the subjects they study can be applied in the workplace and the different routes they can take into a career.

We are incredibly proud to be a part of this important initiative and want to thank the students and staff from St Malachy’s for their enthusiasm and engagement throughout the visit, along with our colleagues who took the time to share their knowledge and experience.

By opening our doors and giving young people a practical insight into what we do, we hope to help more of them see a future for themselves in engineering, manufacturing and sustainable energy.