Digital Designers is the newest addition to our Academy9 events programme and was delivered for the first time at Grantown Grammar School last month. The Digital Designers event provides pupils with a practical introduction to digital design tools used within the infrastructure sector. The session formed part of Academy9’s ongoing commitment to addressing the digital skills gap in the industry while supporting schools to connect learning with real-world applications. Event
Academy9 is now in its second year of delivering the Risk Radar transition event at Grantown Grammar School and this year introduced an exciting new addition. As before, Primary 7 pupils from Grantown, Carrbridge, Abernethy and Deshar Primaries joined us for a morning of Health and Safety focused activities. In response to feedback from last year, we introduced a pupil Health and Safety walk. This gave pupils the chance to
The Academy9 Sustainable Solutions Challenge kicks off on the 19th of January 2026! Want to get involved? Academy9 is excited to announce the launch of our annual Sustainable Solutions Challenge – a dynamic STEM competition designed to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. This 10-week programme gives pupils the chance to explore the world of sustainable engineering and make a real difference in their communities. What is the
As a Graduate Civil Engineer, I enjoy sharing my passion for engineering with others, especially young people who might one day shape the future of our industry. Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in an Academy9 Roadshow event at Kingussie, Alvie and Newtonmore Primary Schools, and this blog post will share a few highlights from the day. The Roadshow Experience The roadshow brought together engineers, ecologists, archaeologists and
Join the Academy9 Sustainable Solutions Challenge, kicking off on the 19th of January 2026! Are you ready to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers? Academy9 is thrilled to announce the launch of our annual Sustainable Solutions Challenge – a dynamic STEM competition. This exciting 10-week programme offers young minds the opportunity to dive into the world of sustainable engineering and make a real impact on their communities. What
Since its inception, the Academy9 programme has stood as a blueprint of collaboration between industry and education, designed to inspire, inform, and empower the next generation. What began as a pioneering outreach initiative has grown into a dynamic, future-facing programme that reflects the evolving priorities of two worlds; Engineering and Education, that champions building a bridge between them (pun intended). Over the years, Academy9 has adapted to meet the changing
Earlier this year, one of our Academy9 corridor schools reached out to us with a challenge: how could we bring fresh energy and perspective to their annual S2 STEM learning event? The answer came in the form of a dynamic, hands-on STEM Day and serves as an inspiring example of what’s possible when education and industry come together with purpose. In response to the school’s request, a diverse team of
Sophie Piper works at Jacobs and has been a Project Manager there for three years. She has worked across a number of different industries including Defence, Water, Environment and Social Value. Before she started work at Jacobs Sophie spent 11 years in the British Army as a Royal Engineers officer. During her time in the Army, she did a lot of Development work, providing critical infrastructure to those in need
Meet Rachel Rachel is a Transport Planner working to promote active and sustainable travel choices across the UK and Ireland. Rachel has supported local authorities, assisting a broad range of projects, including travel planning, transport strategy development, active travel, public transport feasibility, and behaviour change campaigns. Making School Streets Safer in Scotland Have you ever wished your journey to school was a bit quieter, safer, and more fun? That’s exactly
Guest blog written by Debbie Khadi, DYW School Coordinator – DYW ICHI In today’s rapidly evolving job market, young people need more than just academic knowledge to thrive—they need a strong set of transferable skills. These are essential skills that can be applied across different careers and industries, helping individuals adapt, grow, and succeed in an ever-changing job market. Academy9 understands the importance of equipping young people with these skills
