For many young people in Northumberland, the careers happening right on their doorstep remain entirely out of sight. Bringing those opportunities to life is at the very heart of Spark Northumberland, and a recent school visit to Osbit is a perfect example of it in action.
We want all of Northumberland’s young people to understand the brilliant employers on their doorstep, which is exactly why we love supporting the county’s SEND schools to take part in our Spark Northumberland visits. Our role is to act as a bridge between schools and employers, smoothing the path so that every visit is as straightforward and rewarding as possible for everyone involved.
This summer, one of our schools visited Osbit, a leading offshore engineering employer based at Bates Terminal in Blyth, designing the complex, bespoke machines that make the installation of offshore wind farms possible. For the pupils, it was a genuine eye-opener: a chance to see a world-class industry in action and to understand the variety of roles that bring it to life, from engineers and designers to office and support teams.
The feedback from the visiting school says it all:
“Michelle was very welcoming and efficient with the information. I had a few queries about the visit which she clarified for me, being patient and supportive, and also went out of her way to organise a pre-visit for myself and another staff member.”
“The pupils were able to identify career opportunities including engineers, design team and office staff. It was eye-opening to see such possibilities are available on their doorstep.”
Moments like this are exactly why Spark Northumberland exists. Every visit opens a door, sparks an idea, and shows a young person that a brilliant future could be waiting right here in Northumberland. A huge thank you to Michelle and the team at Osbit for their warmth, generosity and support in making this visit such a success.
If you’re a Northumberland employer who would like to open your doors and inspire the next generation, our Head of Spark Northumberland, Sally Green, would love to hear from you.
