Southsea Coastal Scheme team inspires future talent and supports local community

Inspiring future careers at Seawork 

The team recently brought their expertise to Seawork, Europe’s largest on-water marine conference, as part of the event’s dedicated training and careers day. Representing the Southsea Coastal Scheme, the team engaged with a wide range of young people exploring career opportunities in the maritime and coastal sectors. 

A major highlight of the day was the team’s interactive wave tank, which drew in curious minds and provided a hands-on demonstration of how coastal defences work in real life. By blending practical demonstrations with insightful conversations, the team showcased not only the importance of coastal engineering but also the exciting and diverse career paths available within the industry. 

The experience offered students a rare opportunity to connect directly with professionals, helping to demystify the sector and inspire the next generation of engineers, environmental specialists and marine experts. 

Bringing coastal learning into the classroom 

Continuing their outreach work, members of the team visited Porchester Community School to work with Year 9 students. The session was designed to be both educational and engaging, giving students a real-world perspective on the challenges and solutions associated with coastal management. 

The visit began with a presentation explaining the Southsea Coastal Scheme and why coastal defences are essential in protecting communities from the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. This was followed by a demonstration using the wave tank, giving students a visual and interactive understanding of how different defences perform under pressure. 

To bring learning to life, students then worked in groups on a practical activity selecting the most appropriate type of sea defence for various coastal frontages and justifying their decisions. This exercise encouraged critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving. 

The session not only reinforced classroom learning but also helped students see how STEM subjects translate into real-world applications that directly affect their community. 

Supporting local people through Portsmouth Foodbank 

Alongside educational outreach, the Southsea Coastal team has also been supporting vital community services. Last week, the team delivered their latest donation to the Portsmouth Foodbank, continuing their commitment to helping the community. 

Portsmouth Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s nationwide network, which works tirelessly to combat hunger and poverty across the UK. The organisation provides emergency food supplies and essential support to individuals and families in crisis, ensuring they have access to nutritionally balanced meals during difficult times. 

The team’s contribution helps support this important work, demonstrating that their impact extends beyond infrastructure projects into the wider wellbeing of the community they serve.  

Whether inspiring the next generation, enhancing education, or supporting those in need, the team’s work illustrates how engineering projects can create lasting social value. It’s a powerful reminder that protecting coastlines goes hand in hand with supporting the people who live alongside them.