A GLASGOW school offering a new course about the energy industry has teamed up with a city business to provide valuable work placements.

Holyrood Secondary’s physics department recently introduced a Skills for Work: Energy (National 5) for pupils interested in working in the industry.

Now the Southside school has teamed up with Viridor’s Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) to provide placements at the state of the art facility.

During the week, pupils take part in a series of fun engineering challenges and STEM educational activities, while learning about recycling and energy recovery.  

Hugh Gallagher, principal teacher of physics at Holyrood Secondary, said: “Working in partnership with Viridor has raised the vocational aspects of the National 5 Energy course to a new level as recognised by the SQA during a recent verification visit.''

Viridor’s community benefits officer Karen MacCormack said: “Viridor are delighted to work in partnership with Holyrood Secondary to enhance their new and exciting National 5 Energy course.

“We are hopeful that collaboration from industry with education via our joint venture and work experience placement programme will result in future STEM talent realising exciting employment opportunities in our growing sector.”

Councillor Christina Cannon, City Convener for Education & Early Years, said: “This is partnership working in action and an amazing opportunity for Holyrood’s young people.

“Pupils have been able to solve practical problems, get a taste of what a career in engineering will look like and work with specialists in this field of work.

“We want our young people to be given every opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience and a glimpse of what the world of work looks like."