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Outreach Programmes

NIE Networks aim to promote Apprenticeship and Engineering opportunities within our company and enthuse young people about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Outreach Teams have promoted careers within NIE Networks and promoted the STEM subjects to in excess of 18,000 young people in the last academic year.


Outreach Programmes Infographic


Why STEM?

As our society continually advances we are becoming ever more reliant on the skills and expertise of STEM related subjects, increasing the demand for people with these skills on a national and international level.

The Royal Academy of Engineering estimates that around 820,000 Science, Engineering and Technological professionals will be needed by 2020.

However despite this growth in demand there are fewer young people studying these subjects at school and ultimately pursuing a career in the area of STEM. This is particularly evident with women, who are outnumbered by men by nearly 3 to 1 in high level STEM posts in the Northern Ireland economy.

We believe by educating young people through our outreach initiatives about the potentials, positives and endless possibilities of studying STEM related subjects we can help increase the numbers taking up these subjects.

Did You Know?

  • Team R&D – we provided 3 Link Engineers to support Teams from Rathmore Grammar, Methodist College & Regent House.
  • IET Smart Energy – we provided 4 Link Engineers to support Teams from Windsor Hill PS, Camlough PS, Lisburn Central PS & Gaelscoil na gCrann.
  • Engineering Futures – we provided 3 Link Engineers to support Teams from Integrated College Dungannon and Coleraine Grammar.
  • We delivered 5 NIE Networks/Sentinus Career events, with an opportunity to engage and discuss career pathways with 500 young people.
  • NIE Networks sponsored a Young Innovators Award; The NIE Networks Best Girls Electrical Project at the Sentinus “The Big Bang Fair”.  The winning school was St Joseph’s Grammar School, Dungannon.  Pupil Clara Deehans's project was on Water Filtration using Silver Nanoparticles.
  • NIE Networks supported Sentinus “The Big Bang Fair” by the provision of 12 judges. 
  • NIE Networks provided 2 work placement opportunities, each lasting 3 days. The first placement in November 2017 for a group of 10 young people, the second work placement opportunity took place in February 2018 provided 25 placement opportunities.  Both groups went through an application process prior to coming into NIE Networks to experience the diversity of engineering roles within our company.
  • We provided Engineering Mentors for Wallace High School, Lisburn;  Dalriada Grammar School, Ballymoney; and Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt supporting the schools participation in the First Lego League.  All three schools went on to win an award at the First Lego League final on 6th December 2017.
  • Our Apprentices supported all of the participating Teams at the NI Final held at W5.  We also provided a bursary to allow the winning team to progress to the UK & Ireland Final.
  • NIE Networks facilitated a session of interview preparation for Malone College in September 2017.
  • NIE Networks supported 2 young Nuffield Bursary Students, who spent 4 weeks with us in July and August 2017.  A further two students joined us during the summer 2018.
  • Our 2 Arkwright Scholars, Adam McCullagh and Mark Conlon have now completed their studies. We wish them both well with their future studies and their careers.
  • NIE Networks sponsored a “Little Women NI” event, which took place on 6th August 2017.  Little Women NI events help young girls develop essential life skills that will set them up for success and ensure females play an increased role at all levels of society.
  • 6 x NIE Networks’ Business Advisors supported the development of good application form techniques and interview skill training to 8 schools throughout Northern Ireland.

Teacher Work Placement

If you are a teacher and you are interested in a work placement at NIE Networks please contact us.

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