SSE announces £255,000 skills investment

Funding from SSE's Hydro Community Fund will support innovative STEM-focused programme for around 100 pupils.

Speaking at the Perth and Kinross Economic Summit in September 2026, SSE Chief Executive Martin Pibworth unveiled the funding, which will support an innovative partnership with Perth & Kinross Council to provide pupils with qualifications, industry experience and clearer routes into further education, training and employment.

The investment will help deliver a STEM-focused foundation apprenticeship and vocational learning programme for around 100 secondary school pupils from across the region. By connecting young people with real-world opportunities and emerging industry needs, the programme will help develop future skills while supporting informed career choices.

The funding is being provided through SSE's £10 million Hydro Community Fund, which was established to mark 80 years of hydro power and supports communities that host SSE's hydro assets. The latest investment reflects SSE's commitment to ensuring local communities continue to benefit from the legacy of hydro power while helping prepare future generations for careers in Scotland's growing energy, technology and infrastructure sectors.

Morven Smith, Head of Community Investment at SSE, said: "For generations, our hydro assets have been part of the fabric of Perth and Kinross, and we're committed to ensuring local communities continue to benefit from that legacy.

"This £255,000 investment will help around 100 young people access foundation apprenticeships, giving them the skills and experience need to take the first steps towards careers in STEM, infrastructure and technology.

"As SSE continues to invest billions in the electricity infrastructure needed to deliver energy security and economic growth, developing the workforce of the future is more important than ever. Through this partnership, we're creating pathways for local young people, building lasting value and ensuring the benefits of the energy transition are felt in the communities we call home.”

SSE's planned £33 billion investment in low-carbon electricity infrastructure is expected to support thousands of jobs across the UK and Ireland, with skills development playing a crucial role in delivering the energy transition.

Councillor Eric Drysdale, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: "This is a very welcome investment in the future of young people across Perth and Kinross. By working in partnership with SSE, we can give pupils valuable opportunities to develop skills, gain industry experience and explore exciting career pathways in STEM, technology and infrastructure.

"Creating clear routes from education into employment is one of the best ways we can help our young people achieve their potential while also supporting the skills needs of local employers. The industries driving Scotland's future economy will need talented, motivated people, and programmes like this help ensure those opportunities are within reach for young people growing up here in Perth and Kinross.

"I would like to thank SSE for this significant investment and for its continued commitment to the communities that have supported hydro power for generations. This partnership will help more young people build successful careers close to home."

The programme will focus on providing young people with practical skills and qualifications linked to sectors including infrastructure, technology, engineering and the built environment, helping ensure Perth and Kinross is well placed to benefit from future investment and economic opportunities.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation technologies. We also provide energy products and services for businesses and other customers. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

A FTSE-100 company headquartered in Scotland with operations across the UK and Ireland, SSE also has a presence in carefully selected international markets. We employ more than 14,500 people and are proud to be a Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension employer and to be accredited with the Fair Tax Mark. SSE was also the first company in the world to develop a ‘Just Transition Strategy’ aimed at ensuring the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared by workers and communities.

www.sse.com