Outreach success is powered by people. A dedicated team of colleague volunteers supports school sessions, career events, and tours of operational facilities to share first-hand experience of the industry. This outreach has already inspired individuals - one student who initially aimed to become a doctor is now training as an offshore wind turbine technician in the North Sea, while volunteering to engage other students - a full-circle moment.
Since 2017, the partnership with Women into Manufacturing and Engineering has connected thousands of girls and non-binary people with personal journeys from our colleagues, helping to make the offshore wind sector tangible. Site tours and open days offer a real glimpse into opportunities for girls and women. Last year’s careers event returned impressive results, with 54% of attendees expressing interest in the sector upon arrival and 98% expressing interest by the end of the event.
Ørsted’s outreach extends beyond school-age groups. Volunteers regularly deliver talks and tours to Women’s Institute groups and Ladies’ Clubs near our operations, broadening awareness of the industry and its benefits to local communities.
“International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that progress is strongest when we invest in the potential of every girl and woman. Our year-round outreach, mentoring, and partnerships are designed to give more girls and women the chance to explore careers in offshore wind and STEM, helping build a stronger, more inclusive energy sector for the UK,” said Natalia Lopez, senior lead environmental specialist and joint lead for internal network, GenderIn, for Ørsted UK. “Through collaboration with schools, communities, and charitable partners, we are turning outreach into real, lasting impact.”
Key UK Partnerships
On 14 February, Horizon Youth Zone opened after six years of collaboration. Ørsted joined forces with national charity OnSide to invest £1 million to support the development of this safe, inspiring space for North East Lincolnshire’s young people to learn and grow. The facility is open to young people aged 8-19 (25 for those with additional needs) and has already welcomed more than 2,000 sign-ups in its first two weeks.
Ørsted also partnered with Stemettes for a three-year programme to fund STEM support for 90 primary schools in low socioeconomic areas across the UK. The program provides ten weeks of STEM activity packs, teacher notes, presentation slides, posters of inspirational women, and necessary equipment to run engaging Stemettes experiences in schools.
Additionally, Ørsted supports Teach First in expanding its work to address educational inequalities in Grimsby and Merseyside, helping attract, train, and retain excellent teachers for schools most in need, with a strong emphasis on STEM subjects. Teach First’s mission remains to build a fair education for all by developing and supporting teachers and school leaders who drive positive change in their communities.
The UK portfolio includes 12 operational offshore wind farms, with Hornsea 3 currently under construction and set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Hornsea 3 will deliver about 2.9 GW of clean energy, powering around 3.3 million homes, taking Ørsted’s UK total to more than 9 million homes powered. As a major UK employer with around 1,250 staff, Ørsted is committed to developing people with the skills needed to support the UK’s energy ambitions.
Ørsted remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of female engineers, technicians, and leaders. We invite schools, community groups, and industry partners to join us in expanding access to STEM education and career opportunities for girls and women across the UK.
