Fife College has expanded its Girls in Energy programme, with delivery now taking place across three cohorts in Dunfermline, Levenmouth and Glenrothes.
Shell UK introduced its Fife Girls in Energy programme in 2018 to encourage greater female participation in STEM subjects and promote related career opportunities. The 2025/26 academic year marks the first major expansion of the programme in several years, reflecting increasing demand and the ongoing need to address gender imbalance within the energy, engineering and STEM-related industries.
Thanks to increased support from founding partner Shell UK, a total of 30 Fife secondary school pupils have enrolled on the programme, attending Fife College one afternoon per week over a full academic year as part of local School College Partnerships.
As part of the course, pupils benefit from a series of industry visits that bring learning to life, including a visit to Shell UK’s Fife NGL plant, where they take part in a guided tour and meet site engineers.
Each cohort has also been visited by Shell UK representatives who have shared insight into the energy sector, discussed career pathways, and provided learners with an understanding of real-world industry practice.
The course is delivered as an SQA Skills for Work: Energy qualification (SCQF Level 5) and combines classroom learning, hands-on practical activity, employability skills and real-world industry engagement.
Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal: Enterprise & Partnerships at Fife College, said:
“Expanding the Girls in Energy programme across multiple campuses demonstrates Fife College’s ongoing commitment to widening participation and supporting female representation in energy and engineering. It also empowers young women to make informed choices about future study and careers in one of Scotland’s most dynamic and important growth sectors.
“We are incredibly grateful to Shell UK, whose long-standing partnership has been the cornerstone of the programme’s success. Their continued support allows us to enhance this initiative, providing learners with high-quality education, inspiring site visits, and access to role models who help break down barriers and challenge perceptions of careers in the energy sector.
“We look forward to building on this collaboration and shaping the next generation of female energy leaders.”
Tyne Bradley, Plant Manager, Shell Fife NGL, said:
“Creating opportunities for young women to see what’s possible in our industry is vital—not just for the future of the energy sector, but for the future of our communities. Programmes like this help nurture the next generation of engineers and problem‑solvers, and we’re delighted to play a part in their journey.”
The Girls in Energy course is one of several initiatives jointly run by Shell UK and Fife College. These include a scholarship programme to support student progression and the Energy Transition Skills Hub (ETSH), which focuses on fostering skills development in renewable energy technologies such as SmartGrids, wind energy, and solar photovoltaic systems.
As part of their ongoing partnership, Fife College will host Shell UK's Girls in Energy Conference at the Carnegie Conference and Events Centre on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
The conference will bring together learners from all three Fife Girls in Energy cohorts alongside younger school pupils from across the region. The event will feature interactive workshops delivered by industry partners and Fife College staff, a range of guest speakers and an industry showcase.
