In an era where hands-on experience is more valuable than ever, a group of Year 11 students from The Cowplain School in Hampshire were given the opportunity to take part in something both exciting and meaningful, real-world electrical training led by SERT.
Over seven months, these students stepped beyond the classroom and into a structured, engaging programme designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. With guidance from expert trainer Craig Rimmer and the support of Grainger PLC and Morgan Sindall, they explored the world of construction, gaining both real world insight.
A Unique Electrical Training Programme in Hampshire
The journey began with a visit to SERT’s training centre in Whiteley, where students were introduced to the basics of electrical work and shown demonstrations in gas, metering, air source heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage systems.
Each week, Craig visited the school to lead practical sessions. Students learned about health and safety, risk assessments, cable containment, bending conduit, switching and most importantly, safe isolation techniques. Just one month into the programme, they returned to SERT’s centre to complete more advanced electrical tasks.
Soon after, a pop-up training site was built on the school grounds. This space, co-funded by Grainger and Morgan Sindall, featured live electrical boards where students could practise and showcase their growing skills.
"I'm an electrical trainer, here at SERT Training in Whiteley, Fareham. We have just completed a 28 session course with a group of year 11 students at Cowplain School. Whilst the emphasis was on the electrical training, we also covered health and safety, risk assessing, and renewable energies, such as air source heat pumps, incorporating the refrigeration cycle and principles, wind turbines, solar PV and battery storage. The classroom work involved a variety of practical tasks using basic hand and power tools to replicate a few of the tasks the students may be asked to perform as electricians: landing steel wire, armoured, bending conduit, cable containment, switching and more importantly, safe isolation. On completion, the students receive certificates of completion, letters of reference, course notes that evidenced their learning experience. The students also visited our training facility here at Whiteley and a building site visit was organised in Waterlooville. In summary, we delivered high-quality training packed with invaluable content. To fully utilise the time we spent in the sessions. Not only did we join the dots between school and employment/further education, we empowered the learners to make decisions and change behaviours more suited to the adult working environment, something that has been identified by everyone involved. Feedback from the parents, staff, outside agencies and in particular the students has been 100% positive and we hope we can replicate this for more students in the future." - Craig Rimmer, SERT
Real Construction Site Experience
Midway through the programme, the students visited a live construction site in Waterlooville, where a primary school is being built as part of the Berewood development. They heard from Lea Hampton (Grainger) and Susan Dee (Morgan Sindall), who explained the various career pathways into construction and engineering, including apprenticeships and university routes, even getting first hand insight from apprentices, who shared their own experiences, inspiring the students with stories of how they got started.
"This has been a great initiative with real tangible outcomes. It has been our pleasure to be part of this trial and offer our support with practical equipment but more importantly to showcase the young students a live project so they could see first-hand what working on a construction site looks like. I was delighted to be invited to their graduation and talking to some of them, hearing their enthusiasm to join our industry with enrolment onto local college courses. A win-win for everyone involved!" - Susan Dee, Morgan Sindall
"On the Berewood development in Waterlooville we are in the position to work with trusted partners to support students learning construction skills. It was a pleasure to work with the SERT team and invite them onto the development so students on the course could meet professionals working in the sector. The students were well informed and asked great questions. It was wonderful to go back at the end of the year and hear from the students how passionate and keen they are to join the sector. SERT have delivered a fantastic programme and we hope to work with them again next academic year.” - Lea Hampton, Grainger PLC
Celebrating Success: A Proud Moment for All
On Friday 9th May 2025, students, families, and partners gathered at The Cowplain School to celebrate the completion of the course. Parents, representatives from Morgan Sindall and Grainger, staff from SERT and the school’s senior team all came together to recognise the students’ achievements.
Craig prepared individual student folders containing their certificates, completed coursework and personal statements, all useful for future applications and portfolios. Each student also received a framed certificate in recognition of their dedication.
"We've had a fantastic morning today, presenting certificates to our students who have worked with SERT over the last academic year, they've done brilliantly. They've gone from knowing very little to producing a board, which has every electronic component that you could find in your house, which is an amazing achievement. This sets them up really well for the next stage of their career, I know a lot of them if not all of them are looking at working in this Sector and taking that forward into college or an apprenticeship and ultimately a job. The work that SERT have done with them over this time, has really set them up for the next stage of their career. So we are really impressed with what SERT have done. We're looking to work again with them next year. We're looking forward to seeing how this current cohort gets on in the next stage of their careers and then welcoming another group of a year 10 or year 11 students to work with Craig and SERT in the next academic year." - Ian Gates, Headmaster, The Cowplain School
The event included a demonstration from the students, who proudly showed off their work at the pop-up electrical boards, along with refreshments provided by Craig, who reflected on their journey in a heartfelt speech.
"This has been perfect for my child. He's looked forward to every single Friday because it takes him out of that environment where they're being told what to do all day, every day. He can show his personality, he's got a bit of freedom and he's learning something that to him is worthwhile learning. So it's been perfect for him because he likes to be on his feet." - Parent
A Wider Mission for Vocational Training in Hampshire
SERT’s CEO, Mark Edwards, sees the initiative as part of a broader solution to youth unemployment and the growing gap between education and the job market:
"With a recent OECD report pointing to the NEET population in the UK growing to nearly one million, that’s one million too many. There’s a growing mismatch between young people’s career aspirations and the realities of the job market. The Cowplain Green initiative offers a different path: a vocational, hands-on approach that connects learning with purpose and opportunity. It won’t solve every challenge on its own, but it’s absolutely part of the solution. I’m incredibly proud of what Craig and the team have built here and the real-world impact it has had." - Mark Edwards, CEO, SERT
Looking Ahead: Continuing to Support Local Talent
This collaboration between SERT, The Cowplain School and industry partners shows what’s possible when education and business work together. It supports local talent, builds employability and most importantly, inspires the next generation to pursue fulfilling careers in construction, engineering and electrical work.