At Valda Energy, we’re passionate about nurturing future talent and creating meaningful opportunities for growth. Our Ignite Futures Programme is a cornerstone of that commitment, offering participants hands-on experience across a range of business functions in a dynamic, supportive environment.
The programme was created to provide a valuable platform for individuals aged 16 to 20, helping them develop the skills needed to successfully transition from education to employment. Many participants are new to office environments and benefit from learning both practical workplace skills and broader professional behaviours.
By working with experienced mentors and engaging in hands-on learning, they gain confidence, build essential skills, and develop a clearer understanding of what it takes to thrive in a real working environment. The programme is designed to empower young people with the tools and knowledge they need to begin their careers with confidence. Professional skills are developed through contributions to real projects in areas such as HR, Operations, Marketing, and Finance.
This year, we welcomed one of our largest cohorts to date, with 11 talented individuals joining teams across the business. To support their journey, our Learning & Development team delivered a tailored programme of workshops focused on personal and professional growth. Topics included neurodiversity, emotional intelligence, confidence building, and self-driven development, all designed to help participants thrive both at Valda and in their future careers.
To mark the end of the programme, we invited several members of the cohort to share their reflections. Their stories offer a glimpse into life at Valda Energy and the lasting impact of a well-supported work placement.
With this being her fourth seasonal placement, Eva is no stranger to Valda, having first joined in summer 2023. Her experience spans multiple departments, giving her a broad understanding of the company’s operations.
“Coming from a hospitality background, this experience has been a great opportunity to build my confidence in a completely different workplace setting. It’s also helped me improve my IT skills and become more comfortable with common office applications.”
Beyond expectations: A hands-on experience
“I expected seasonal roles to involve simpler admin tasks, but instead I was given the some of the same responsibilities as other advisors. This made the experience much more engaging and allowed me to learn directly from colleagues.”
She also highlighted the support she received from managers:
“They were always approachable and encouraging, regularly checking in and making me feel comfortable when I had questions.”
Building real-world skills
Eva’s placement helped her grow in several areas:
“This placement has helped me grow in so many ways. I’ve developed stronger communication and teamwork skills through collaborative projects and presentations. My IT proficiency has improved by adapting to different systems and tools across departments. And thanks to group presentations, I’ve gained real confidence in public speaking.”
She also found the neurodiversity training particularly enriching:
“It taught me effective approaches and learning strategies, and the group activities helped deepen my understanding of the topic.”
Eva’s advice for future Ignite Futures Programme participants
“Stay open-minded and avoid making assumptions. Working in an energy company might be quite different from what you expect. Be ready to take on a variety of tasks, and don’t hesitate to seek support. Engaging in training sessions and everyday conversations will help you settle in quickly and build valuable skills.”
Abigail’s first summer placement at Valda Energy offered her a practical understanding of how the energy industry functions and how various teams operate across the business.
“My summer placement at Valda was a truly insightful experience. One key highlight was the opportunity to strengthen my technological skills, particularly with Excel.”
Guided by encouragement and expertise
“The team was always open to questions and provided constructive feedback, which helped me grow in my role.”
“During my placement, I’ve really sharpened my time management skills by balancing multiple daily deadlines and prioritising tasks. I also learned the value of taking initiative, owning my responsibilities and actively seeking out opportunities to grow which has made a big difference.”
Abigail’s advice for future Ignite Futures Programme participants
“Never be afraid to ask questions and actively seek out learning opportunities. Demonstrating initiative not only helps you grow but can also open doors for the future. Make the most of the experience and embrace opportunities to learn.”
