Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Celebrates National Careers Week from Skegness to Spalding
National Careers Week aims to shine a light on careers resources and get young people thinking about options for their future at a pivotal stage in their academic lives. The Outer Dowsing team celebrated National Careers Week by holding interactive practical workshops and careers outreach in primary and secondary schools from Skegness to Spalding.
Outer Dowsing Energise Wind Power Challenge
Across the week, a total of 300 pupils benefitted from an Outer Dowsing Energise Wind Power Challenge Workshop in five different primary schools. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils built their own wind-powered machines to lift weights, learning the critical elements of scientific investigation, design, record keeping, teamwork and problem solving.
A Department for Education (DfE) study showed that primary school children engaged in structured STEM activities demonstrated enhanced problem-solving skills and improved critical thinking abilities. There were also measurable improvements in mathematical reasoning and an increased interest and enthusiasm for STEM subjects as they progress to Key Stage 3.
Since the Outer Dowsing Energise Wind Power Challenge launched in 2025, over 1000 primary school children in South and East Lincolnshire have benefitted from a workshop.
Picture: Pupils completing the Outer Dowsing Energise Wind Power Challenge at The Wainfleet Magdalen CE / Methodist Primary School.
Outer Dowsing Energise Supergrid Challenge
In addition to investing in the earlier years, Outer Dowsing is investing in STEM at Key Stage 3&4. Last week, 28 Year 9 students at Spalding Academy completed the Outer Dowsing Energise Supergrid Challenge. Pupils built their own wind turbines and investigated the impact of design variables on the efficiency of a wind turbine. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions about how wind turbines work and what it is like to work in offshore wind. The students then competed in teams against each other to generate the most energy from the wind with some impressive results! Since launching the Outer Dowsing Energise Supergrid Challenge workshops in 2025, 240 secondary school students have completed the challenge.
Picture: L-R Jenny Marsden, Communications Manager for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind, one of the winning teams, and Miss Davis, Science Teacher and STEM lead at Spalding Academy.
“Careers outreach activities like the Outer Dowsing Energise Supergrid Challenge offer our students an inspiring glimpse into the futures they can aspire to. The workshop brought learning to life and sparked genuine curiosity, giving students valuable insight into the range of opportunities available in Lincolnshire during National Careers Week.
This hands‑on challenge allowed students to put their engineering skills into practice, following a scientific process of designing, testing and refining their turbines to achieve maximum efficiency. It was a fun, meaningful way for them to apply their knowledge to a real‑world context while building confidence in their abilities” Miss S O’Driscoll, Careers Advisor, Spalding Academy.
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind hopes that investing in STEM skills and raising awareness about careers in offshore wind will help the young people of Lincolnshire take advantages of the thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs that are forecast to be created by the offshore wind industry in coming years.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have Outer Dowsing involved with the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub as Enterprise Advisers. Their support during National Careers Week helped bring STEM and offshore wind careers to life for young people, showing just how powerful industry engagement can be in raising aspirations” Lee Douglas, Careers Hub Lead, Lincolnshire County Council.
Both sets of workshops form part of the enrichment program for the schools, providing a more well-rounded education and preparing students with life skills that they will need for the future. They can also be mapped across to the new Equalex learning outcomes, supporting new modern work experiences in schools. They are fully funded by Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind and are offered to selected schools closest to the onshore project area.
In addition to boosting UK energy security while lowering emissions, Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind is committed to delivering a brighter future for people and planet. One of the ways in which we aim to do this is through a community investment and engagement programme that we hope will leave behind a long-lasting, positive legacy in Lincolnshire. Investing in STEM and Skills is a key area of focus for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind, and the Outer Dowsing Energise Workshops are part of our offering to the local schools in the project area.