Future-Proof Careers? Cornwall’s Youngsters Get Hands-On with Clean Energy Jobs

STEM Career Day Showcases Growing Job Market

Students from across Devon and Cornwall explored the future of clean energy careers at the GEO Resources STEM Career Day, held at Truro and Penwith College’s STEM and Health Skills Centre in Bodmin.

The event brought together schools and colleges, including Great Torrington School and Callywith College, offering students an interactive look at careers in engineering, mining, geology, and environmental science.

Industry Experts Engage with Students

Leading industry professionals, including Clare Sleeman, Talent Manager at Imerys in Cornwall, attended to share insights into Cornwall’s growing clean energy sector. Speaking about the opportunity to engage with students, Clare said:

“We got to engage with so many schools which we don’t normally have the opportunity to.”

Workshops led by Cornish Lithium, Geolorn Ltd, Geevor Tin Mine Museum, and Truro & Penwith College provided students with hands-on experiences, from remote-controlled mini diggers and drones to Minecraft-inspired activities. Many attendees discovered local career opportunities in drilling, lab work, project management, and environmental consultancy for the first time.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

Cornish Lithium, one of the participating organisations, took to social media after the event to share their excitement about inspiring future innovators:

“We are excited to see the next generation of innovators emerge. We hope to inspire them to pursue rewarding careers in Cornwall’s growing STEM sector and critical minerals industry — an essential part of our transition to a clean energy future.”

The event was delivered by Truro & Penwith College in partnership with STEM Learning and supported by the Geo-Resources Strategic Sector Strengthening project. It opened with a business-to-business session, allowing industry leaders to connect and discuss the skills and education needed to advance Cornwall’s geothermal sector.

Sponsored by Cornish Metals Inc., the event was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Organisers thanked all the schools and companies involved in making the day a success.