|
Students from
the University of Highlands and Islands
are taking on the Fuel Change ‘Challenge
Programme’ which has been set by whisky
makers Whyte & Mackay.
Students from the
University of Highlands and Islands are
taking on the Fuel Change ‘Challenge
Programme’ to pit their wits against
solving real business problems around
sustainability and to provide executive
leadership teams with new solutions to
add a new perspective to how they
deliver their net zero future.
The challenge, which has been set by
whisky makers Whyte & Mackay, based in Invergordon, will last for 18 weeks
during which the 15 students will focus
on three key steps:
- Discovering
and understanding the journey that
whisky makes from Acorn to Cask,
across the breadth of whisky making
facilities at Invergordon
Distillery.
- Learning
about the practical application of
sustainability in a leading Scottish
business
- Through
collaboration, learning how to
develop creative solutions that help
improve environmental practices at
the site
This Fuel Change
Challenge is the 17th since the
initiative launched in 2020 and is
focused on engaging the next generation
workforce to drive a positive transition
to Net Zero. It has already attracted
partnerships with some of the most
critical industries from energy,
transport and construction.
Jen Tempany, Chief Operating Officer,
said: "At Fuel Change we believe true
engagement of the next generation will
drive a positive transition to net zero.
The Fuel Change Challenge is about
systematically creating a future
workforce who are equipped with the
skills, knowledge and behaviours needed
to positively drive that transition.
"It’s the organisations that are
investing in their employees and
creatively tackling sustainability
issues that are going to have the most
success in years to come. We partner
with employers and education providers
to provide 16-24-year-olds with the
opportunity to take on a real-world
climate challenge within a business.
They’ll work as a team to find a
sustainable solution which can be
adapted for the long-term benefit of the
business.
"Our Challenges are having a huge impact
on those are taking part. So far, over
2000 participants have gone through the
challenge programme gaining experience
across a variety of industries and
sectors, developing themselves and in
many cases gaining promotion or even
employment, as well as having the
opportunity to influence how businesses
in Scotland adapt to meet the climate
challenge. I’m proud to see our 17th
challenge start today and look forward
to seeing the progress which the
students make with a leading Scottish
brand."
Lisa Munro, Project Engineer on behalf
of Whyte and Mackay, said: "Whyte and
Mackay have been fortunate to
participate the Fuel Change challenge at
COP26 in Glasgow. This new challenge is
our first opportunity to invite a fresh
perspective on how we fuel our energy
transition here in the beautiful North
Highlands.
As whisky makers we laid out our vision
for a sustainable future in The Whyte
and Mackay Green Print. Invergordon
Distillery is nestled alongside the
Cromarty Firth, Scotland’s great natural
waterway, which the First Minster
announced of Scotland’s first Green
Port. It is an exciting time to be
leading the way in sustainability here,
and the Fuel Change project is a
fantastic initiative that will shine a
light on how we deliver a green future.
Professor Chris O'Neil, Principal and
Chief Executive of UHI Inverness, said "UHI
Inverness is pleased to join Whyte and
Mackay in the first Fuel Change
Spotlight Challenge in the Highlands.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our
Engineering, Built Environment and
Science students to create solutions
which incorporate their developing
technical skills with sustainable,
circular economic and net zero
understanding.
"With our drive towards Net Zero by 2040
and the growing local opportunities in
developing green technologies, we cannot
wait to see what our students develop
with Fuel Change over the next few
months.
"We at UHI Inverness are pleased to be
working in collaboration with a creative
and imaginative partner, such as Whyte
and Mackay."
Mechanical electrical engineering
student, Nadia Johal, 26 from Inverness,
is taking part in the Challenge. Nadia
said: "I remember hearing that Waste is
a Design flaw, and if I was to sum up
what drives my love of engineering, it’s
designing solutions to difficult
problems. When this opportunity
appeared, I knew it would be a great
chance to challenge myself towards using
my technical experience and further my
skills in the circular economy and
sustainability, toward solving a real
world problem. With the support of Fuel
Change & UHI Inverness, I believe that
my Team & I will innovate at Invergordon
Distillery, and really push a new
brilliant green solution to their carbon
challenge!"
SVQ student Brandon Platt,18 from
Inverness, is also taking part in the
Challenge, said: "This opportunity to
dive into a project which incorporates
the circular economy in my Engineering
learning with a big local company (we
all know Whyte and Mackay!) was
something I couldn’t pass up. I want to
create new solutions to the problems we
are facing in the highlands, and I think
everyone my age wants to make the world
a better place, that’s why I went into
engineering and this project is that
chance!"
The students will now begin their 18
week challenge which ends with them
presenting their proposal solutions to
the Whyte and Mackay Distillery
leadership team in later April.
You will find the current Whyte & Mackay
whisky portfolio including their single
malt whiskies from Jura, Fettercairn,
The Dalmore and Tamnavulin available
from specialist online whisky
shops such
as
The Whisky Exchange,
The Whisky Shop,
Master of Malt
and
Hard To Find Whisky
|
