Pupils power their own futures

SENIOR pupils from across Dumfries and Galloway took to the stage at Easterbrook Hall last week to participate in Powering Futures Live.

It was the culmination of 30 weeks of working for the 90 youngsters from Annan Academy, Dalbeattie High School, Dumfries Academy and Lockerbie Academy.

They have been working in teams to research and develop answers to real world challenges posed by leading Scottish businesses.

And at last Wednesday’s event they delivered presentations and their solutions to a panel of professionals from Arla, Booth Welsh and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Powering Futures aims to empower young people with the skills, critical thinking and confidence to enter the workplace.

This year’s challenges included designing a campaign to reconnect Scottish people with local sustainable seafood; design a town for 2500 new homes where heating is affordable, efficient and low carbon; and create a plan for moving equipment and materials for new electricity infrastructure to a remote environment whilst minimising the impact to local communities and the environment.

Co-founder David Reid said: “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.”

All participants are now expected to earn an SCQF Level 6 qualification - equivalent to a Higher.

• See this week's paper for more photos from the event