Young People in the Highlands ‘STEAM Ahead’ at Expos Exploring Careers of the Future - Featuring State-of-the-Art Robot Spot

Around a hundred pupils from across Inverness and the Central Highlands took their first steps towards the jobs of the future at the first STEAM Ahead Expo, hosted by Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) at Invergordon Academy on Thursday 13 November 2025.

The event – the first in a two-part series, with the next taking place at Inverness Royal Academy on Tuesday 2 December – gave young people a hands-on introduction to emerging technologies, including AI, robotics, and digital innovation, and explored how these are transforming career opportunities across sectors such as engineering, energy, creative digital, tourism, construction, and food & drink.

Spot the Star Attraction

A highlight of the day was the appearance of Spot, a versatile robotic canine developed by Boston Dynamics and brought along by The National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and AI based at Heriot-Watt University in partnership with The University of Edinburgh.

Spot is used to advance robotics and AI applications in sectors including agriculture, engineering, and oil & gas. His visit gave pupils a rare, close-up look at the cutting edge of robotics and human-robot interaction - making the future of technology feel exciting and tangible.

Inspiring Futures Through Hands-On Learning

Over the course of the day, S2–S3 pupils took part in interactive workshops led by employers and organisations including The National Robotarium, FIRST Tech Challenge UK, Hearts Innovation Centre, Tuminds, Enable Works, RHET Highland, Highland Broadband, The Engineering Development Trust (EDT), SSEN Transmission, The Apprentice Store, Strut Digital, Skills Development Scotland, and UHI Inverness.

These sessions offered pupils practical insights into the skills and pathways linked to STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths), helping them connect what they learn in school to real-world opportunities.

According to recent research, the UK’s digital economy now supports over 2.6 million jobs*, with demand for advanced digital skills expected to grow by 60% over the next five years^. The Expo helped pupils see what that shift means in practice — from coding and data analysis to digital storytelling, energy transition, and creative problem-solving.

Connecting Learning to Life Beyond School

DYWICH Programme Lead Liz Fletcher said the event was about inspiring curiosity and confidence in the next generation while showing how the Highlands can play a key role in Scotland’s tech-driven future.

“Technology is evolving faster than ever, and we want our young people to be at the forefront of that journey. Events like STEAM Ahead help them connect what they’re learning in school to real-world opportunities and the skills employers will need in the years to come.

“We know that behind every new innovation and every breakthrough in AI are people – and we want to make sure that some of those people are right here in the Highlands. This event is about sparking curiosity, confidence and ambition in the next generation, and I’d like to thank all the businesses and partners who made it possible.”

Rene Looper, Director of Tuminds, who gave the opening address at the event said, “For almost twenty years, we’ve helped individuals and organisations harness the power of social media, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation to drive growth and success. I’ve seen firsthand how AI is transforming the workplace, it’s now central to innovation across fast-growing industries, delivering improved efficiency and fresh ideas.

“For young people, there are countless opportunities to play a role in the future of this technology, highlighted by the Government’s plans to develop a new qualification in data science and AI for 16–18-year-olds. The STEAM Expos will offer a glimpse into real world applications of AI, exploring how adaptable skills, including digital literacy, problem-solving, and creativity, will be invaluable for building successful careers in this evolving landscape. Young people will have a unique opportunity to shape the way we do business in the future, and I’m really excited to be part of these sessions, which promise to be both valuable and inspiring.”

Morven MacAndrew, Head Teacher at Invergordon Academy, added, “This was an incredible day for our young people. They were able to meet employers, take part in workshops, and really see how what they study in school links to future careers. Events like this make a huge difference in helping them make informed choices about subjects and pathways.”

Pupil Perspectives

For many pupils, it was their first opportunity to explore the possibilities of technology in action.

Amber Sutherland, S3 student, said, “This was a great opportunity to find out how AI works in different careers and to learn new skills. The practical workshops helped us see how technology is used in real life.”

Khalea Kennedy, S3 student, added, “I’ve always been interested in science and seeing how AI is being used in jobs I might want in the future was really helpful. Meeting employers helped me think about possible careers and what subjects to take next.”

Looking Ahead

The STEAM Ahead Expo series builds on the success of DYWICH’s Green Careers Expo in 2024 and forms part of the organisation’s wider mission to connect education with industry and inspire young people about the world of work.

The next STEAM Ahead Expo will take place at Inverness Royal Academy on Tuesday 2 December 2025, expanding opportunities for even more young people to explore the fast-changing landscape of careers shaped by innovation and technology.

Sources:

*Report from January 2024: A report on the "State of the UK Digital Economy," published by the CCIA in January 2024, found that the digital economy and online retail supported over 2.6 million jobs in the UK.

^Growing reliance: Research commissioned by WorldSkills UK and published in 2021 indicated that 60% of businesses believed their reliance on advanced digital skills would increase over the following five years.