The Next Generation Schools Program, created in 1991 and successfully delivered by the Energy Club of Western Australia, is a dynamic community engagement initiative. This program introduces students to the energy industry through fun, interactive, and educational experiences. Our mission is to educate students about the critical role of the energy industry in society and highlight the diverse career opportunities available within the sector.
We’re pleased to have approximately 1,600 students from across 28 schools participating in the program in 2025. Many of our schools are expanding the number of classes participating, as they see the program as a valuable inclusion for students regardless of their academic capacities and interests.
We have now expanded the program to 10 regional schools taking the program to Exmouth, Karratha, Dongara, Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Busselton, Geraldton, Morawa, Northam and Carnamah.
We are still seeking panel mentors for all schools to assist with the session visits. If you're able to assist, please contact Michelle today.
Connecting the 'Next Generation' to careers in the energy industry
Purpose:
To introduce the "Next Generation" to the energy industry in a fun, interactive and educational environment. We aim to educate students about the energy industry and the important role energy plays in our society, as we provide information on the diversity of careers options available.
Goals:
By matching each school with an industry mentor, students get first-hand access to information from someone working directly in the industry. This program provides an opportunity to inspire the next generation and promote the energy industry to our future workforce.
Target Audience:
Year's 8 to 10 High School Students
The Program
What's involved...
Each school is assigned a Lead Mentor who will work with their assigned school teacher to present the Next Generation Schools Program. This is presented over four to five visits and will conclude with the Student Expo Day. The mentor will work with the teacher to schedule each school visit, offering flexibility for those involved. The four mentor visits will cover the following topics:
1. Provides students with an introduction to the energy industry and the impact it has on society, plus the way in which it affects our day-to-day lives.
2. Concentrates on renewable energy developments, the future mix of energy, how all the different energy sources work and what the benefits are of each source.
3. focuses on the project lifecycle and the diverse range of careers required to help complete a project, highlighting the array of opportunities available within each tier of the project cycle.
4. Takes you on a journey of careers. We invite 3 to 4 mentors from various backgrounds to share their career journey in the energy industry so far. Mentors rotate around the groups to provide a ‘speed networking style’ show and tell of their careers.
There is also an option of a fifth session: a game provided by Woodside Energy which aims to take students on a journey from now until 2050. The intent of the game is to demonstrate the complexities of providing energy to the world and the difficulties in transitioning to a low carbon energy market.
We are always refining the program to be flexible to suit each school’s individual needs. The Next Generation Program Committee has worked closely with participating teachers to continue to develop the content; keeping it current, engaging and adding value to the students’ education by providing information on career pathways that may not be already easily accessible to them.
Get Involved
By participating in the Next Generation Schools Program, you can help shape the future of the energy industry and inspire the next generation of professionals. Join us in making a difference and promoting the vital role of the energy sector in our society.
Industry Sponsor Benefits:
- Attract STEM talent to the energy industry.
- Give back to the community and positively promote the industry.
- Inspire the next generation and support the industry's need for ongoing education.
- Recognize the value of the energy sector and its impact on everyday lives.
- Shape perspectives relating to the challenges of the energy transition
- Help individuals understand opportunities of the energy transition and prepare for the future.
- Provide clear trade and professional pathways into the energy sector.
- Deliver hands-on experiences that expose students to different career options.
- Ensure students and schools are aware of opportunities such as work experience and traineeships.
- Offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals and gain valuable insights.
Student Benefits:
- Make a lasting impact on young people's lives and shape their future.
- Empower students to make informed career decisions and reach their full potential.
- Encourage more individuals to pursue careers relevant to the energy industry.
- Motivate students to seek further education, training, or employment in the energy sector.
- Help students understand various career options and industry expectations.
Industry Mentors
Mentoring is a rewarding experience and an opportunity to give back to the community and the industry you work in and enhance your personal development.
If you are an energetic, positive role model in the industry and value the process of sharing your knowledge to the "next generation" then this could be an opportunity for you to get connected.
There are various capacities to our mentoring roles; Lead Mentors, Panel Mentors or Guest Speakers.
View mentor brochure for more.
*Please note a Working with Children Check is required to participate. These will need to be organised prior to your visits, as you will need it for entry to school premises. Application forms can be found at most Australia Post shops, or ECWA can supply a copy on request, contact Michelle today. Find out more about WWCC here.
Invest in the Future...
This is a community engagement initiative that has been facilitated by the Energy Club WA since 1991.
Each year the program is growing and the Next Generation committee has worked closely with teachers and mentors to continue to develop the program, keeping it current, interesting and adding value to the student's education by providing information on career pathways that may not be easily accessible to them.
This program relies on the participation from industry mentors and organisation sponsorship to ensure we can continue to inspire the "next generation".
We work with the industry’s leading organisations to deliver the Next Generation Program, providing students with up to date information on some of Australia's biggest energy projects. We'd like to thank our program sponsors, for allowing us to develop the program and educate students across WA.
We invite our valued sponsors to leverage the Next Generation Schools Program. By supporting our established initiative, you can maximize impact by pooling resources, ensure consistency with a unified approach, save on development costs, and strengthen community ties through our well-connected framework. This also highlights your commitment to the energy industry's future by backing a long-standing, successful initiative. Join us in inspiring the next generation and making a lasting difference in the energy sector. Together, we can achieve more.
If you would like to support the program that supports our industry and the next generation, please contact us today.
Thank you to our 2025 program sponsors...
