{"id":1537,"date":"2026-04-09T08:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1537"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:02","slug":"70-hours-of-shaping-sustainable-futures-at-lancaster-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1537","title":{"rendered":"70 hours of shaping sustainable futures at Lancaster University"},"content":{"rendered":"
\ufeff<\/p>\n
70 hours of shaping sustainable futures at Lancaster University<\/title><meta name=\"description\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\"><meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"70 hours of shaping sustainable futures at Lancaster University\"><meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"\"><meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"website\"><meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/press-releases\/70-hours-of-shaping-sustainable-futures-at-lancaster-university\/\"><meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"70 hours of shaping sustainable futures at Lancaster University\"><meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<p>Our projects go beyond infrastructure. They serve as catalysts for local employment, training, and community investment opportunities, which can leave lasting, impactful legacies. We\u2019ve been working in partnership with Lancaster University, to deliver two major low carbon, energy projects, the Net Zero Energy Project, and the Solar Farm.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout these projects, we have worked closely with students, staff, and local stakeholders on various social value initiatives, to inspire action on carbon reduction, promote sustainable careers, and emphasise the importance of the University\u2019s net zero journey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Our impact so far<\/h2>\n<p>So far on the project, we\u2019ve delivered more than 70 hours of engagement with local schools and colleges, sponsored over \u00a33000 towards the Lancaster University Triathlon in support of the St John\u2019s Hospice and Cancer Care charities, hosted and attended 5 career drop ins, in addition to 7 student engagement events, and provided 3 internships to university students.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, we\u2019re planning a range of activities over the coming months, including a tree planting event for students to participate in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/juil40yb\/image-63.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=835&height=474&rnd=134063949787630000\" alt=\"Image (63)\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Empowering the Next Generation<\/h2>\n<p>As part of our ongoing efforts to inspire and educate the next generation, we\u2019ve delivered a range of enriching initiatives involving local schools and colleges. In one of our recent sessions, we facilitated a workshop in collaboration with Vital Energi and Lancaster University, for pupils at Central High School. The session was inspired by the book \u201cHow Bad Are Bananas? \u2013 The carbon footprint of everything by Mike Berners-Lee\u201d and explored environmental impacts of everyday choices. This gave pupils the tools they needed to understand how they can make small changes to lessen their impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Creating First Steps towards Careers in Green Energy<\/h2>\n<p>We hosted a seminar for Lancaster University students to introduce them to careers in the sustainability sector. Our aim is to inspire those who have begun to explore the world of green careers and want to know what it is like to work on projects such as the Net Zero Energy Project. We followed up with a careers drop-in session to network with university stakeholders across the departments. Discussions with our senior construction team, apprentices and graduates centred on collaborative opportunities for students. These could be work placements, upskilling tours or construction phase projects which all help students take their first step towards a sustainable future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote\">\n<div class=\"wrap quote__wrap\">\n<div class=\"swiper-container js-simple-quotes\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div class=\"quote__holder\"><span class=\"quote__icon\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"36\" height=\"28\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 28\"><g fill=\"#F58220\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M12.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 5.681 28H2.033a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 12.319 0zM30.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 23.681 28h-3.648a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 30.319 0z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote__holder\">\n<p class=\"quote__text\">\u201cThank you for the presentation today! It was very insightful hearing from the team at Vital Energi about the tangible developments you are contributing to at Lancaster University.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"quote__author\">Robert Graham, <span class=\"quote__position\"> Student at Lancaster<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">The Healthy Living Roadshow<\/h2>\n<p>Giving students a sense of ownership and an understanding of the intricacies and benefits of the Net Zero Energy Project was a core part of our pre-construction planning, and our staff have been happy to support multiple drop-in sessions, including the Healthy Living Roadshow at County College. Through showcases of the ongoing scheme, as well as direct access to our project management team, students gained a deeper understanding of the innovative works taking place and the direct impact on campus life. Interactive activities like the \u201cAim for Net Zero\u201d darts competition made learning engaging, whilst promoting awareness of the project\u2019s significance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Good Things Come in Threes<\/h2>\n<p>Since 2016, Sport Lancaster\u2019s sprint-distance Triathlon event has been a huge success, and along with sponsoring the University\u2019s \u201cTry-a-Try\u201d Triathlon, three of our colleagues put themselves forward to compete in the event as a relay team.\u00a0The morning was a great chance for us to help raise money for both St John\u2019s Hospice and Cancer Care.\u00a0The Sport Lancaster team praised our contributions, noting that the sponsorship of the bike racking, traffic management, and race timing supported the smooth running of the event. They also acknowledged that although the construction works may have altered the route, it is all part of a positive initiative, the Net Zero Energy Project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Internships and Work Placements<\/h2>\n<p>What better way to make a mark in the sustainable energy sector than by gaining first-hand experience on the project. In partnership with Lancaster University, we have been offering internships and work placements to give students real-world experiences. The Net Zero Energy Project offers learning and development opportunities for junior engineers, apprentices, and graduates across various disciplines. These early-career professionals can gain practical knowledge of cutting-edge energy technologies, system integration, and sustainable heating solutions, preparing the next generation of engineers and specialists to lead on future projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote\">\n<div class=\"wrap quote__wrap\">\n<div class=\"swiper-container js-simple-quotes\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div class=\"quote__holder\"><span class=\"quote__icon\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"36\" height=\"28\" viewbox=\"0 0 36 28\"><g fill=\"#F58220\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M12.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 5.681 28H2.033a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 12.319 0zM30.319 0h3.648a2 2 0 0 1 1.838 2.788l-10.286 24A2 2 0 0 1 23.681 28h-3.648a2 2 0 0 1-1.838-2.788l10.286-24A2 2 0 0 1 30.319 0z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote__holder\">\n<p class=\"quote__text\">\u201cMy time at Vital Energi was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to explore different aspects of the business, from gaining an insight into construction management, to contributing to a whole-life carbon assessment, and producing P&ID drawings for the mechanical design team. I also gained valuable exposure to the Lancaster University Net Zero Energy Project, which highlighted the complexity and importance of the journey towards net zero. Throughout my placement, my supervisors and colleagues were supportive and welcoming, I couldn\u2019t have asked for a better experience. Thank you, Lisa Martin, Stuart Hoyle, Gemma Read, Stephen Booth and the rest of the team for their support.”<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"quote__author\">Baraa Elrayah , <span class=\"quote__position\"> Student at Lancaster University<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Passing on our Skills and Knowledge to Future Leaders<\/h2>\n<p>Why do we do this? Because we believe that the next generation is the key to achieving global net zero. Through our partnership, we contribute to a healthier planet, by educating individuals on the importance of eco-friendly living and sustainable careers. We aim to motivate them, giving meaning to their aspirations. By providing access to resources that support sustainable practices and careers, we can guide them in making a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff 70 hours of shaping sustainable futures at Lancaster University Our projects go beyond infrastructure. They serve as catalysts for local employment, training, and community investment opportunities, which can leave lasting, impactful legacies. We\u2019ve been working in partnership with Lancaster University, to deliver two major low carbon, energy projects, the Net Zero Energy Project, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ve_media_section":[3],"ve_media_year":[],"ve_sector":[],"class_list":["post-1537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","ve_media_section-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1537"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_section&post=1537"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_year&post=1537"},{"taxonomy":"ve_sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_sector&post=1537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}