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Apprentice teams wanted to help solve the net zero challenge
Published:  26 April, 2021

Teams of innovative apprentices are being urged to help change the world, by signing up to solve the Net Zero challenges facing us all.

The Fuel Change challenge was established to spark a means by which the Scottish economy can shift to net-zero, and at the same time use the innovative ideas to create wider commercial economic benefits.

It is an opportunity for apprentices to develop innovative, but practical, solutions to real low carbon challenges set by four of Scotland’s Innovation Centres, Arcola Energy and the University of Strathclyde’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) initiative, and BAE Systems.

CENSIS (Centre of Excellence for Sensing, Imaging and the Internet of Things technologies), Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC), both based in Glasgow, Data Lab in Edinburgh and the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) based in Hamilton, and the two well-known firms, are providing a range of challenges for apprentices to develop innovative low carbon solutions to real issues currently being faced by industry and society.

Fresh from the success of its first ‘Fuel Change Challenge’ – which saw 38 teams of ingenious apprentices progress to take forward their own sustainable projects which could help to transform their industries and boost Scotland’s bid to reach its Net Zero targets.

This year’s challenge obviously takes on even more significance with the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference being held in Glasgow in November.

The Fuel Change Programme welcomes teams from all industries across Scotland – not just construction and engineering – and is hoping to attract 30 new teams of Apprentices and their employers to sign up this year, and several have already registered.

Registration is open until Monday 10 May, and teams can register here https://fuelchange.co.uk/

The main aim of the project is to hit the target of a low carbon Scotland and create real, practical solutions which can not only be implemented by the partner companies, but potentially be implemented across the world and make a real difference to climate change.

Another aim of the project now includes the identification of new skills and high value jobs for the future, which will be needed as a result of the new initiatives that are implemented by industry to facilitate a just transition to a net zero future.

Teams of between four to eight apprentices, either from an individual employer or comprising of individuals from different employers, are expected to participate from all over the country and from a wide range of sectors and industries.

The challenge will take place over a number of months through a series of three to four week ‘sprints’ culminating in a national showcase In March 2022.

The aim is not to find a sole ‘winner’ but to take forward all ideas worthy of implementation, although there will be prizes awarded to successful teams.

To find out more and register to take part, visit the website. https://fuelchange.co.uk/

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