Extra MSA cements ESG commitment
with Ahead Partnership expansion

Extra MSA has announced that it is expanding its partnership with leading ESG specialist, Ahead Partnership.

Having worked with Ahead Partnership since 2017, the expansion follows the completion of a number of successful projects. As well as signaling the continuation of some of these projects, the expansion will also see the introduction of a new programme focused on engaging secondary school students around the future of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging.

Last year, Extra MSA hosted 57 primary school students at its Beaconsfield site where they spent the day learning about wildlife, ecology and environmental management, taking part in a number of activities including a ‘walking safari’ and a design challenge to help improve the site’s biodiversity.

Extra MSA implemented a number of the student’s ideas from this challenge including ‘Bugingham Palace’, a new bug hotel, and a floating duck house. Feedback from the students was incredibly positive with 98% of those that took part saying that it improved their motivation to protect the environment and 91% stating that it had increased their self-belief and confidence in their ideas.

This year the programme will expand to include two events. Extra MSA’s Cobham site will host another ecology day, following the success of last year’s at Beaconsfield.

In addition to this, secondary school students will visit Extra MSA’s Leeds Skelton Lake site and spend a day learning about electric vehicles, the infrastructure needed to support the transition to EV and the career opportunities available from expert volunteers in the sector.

After receiving a tour of the service station and its amenities, they will take part in a workshop to help them understand the supply and demand of energy for EV charging. Following this, the students will work in groups to design a solution to addressing infrastructure challenges, as well as looking at how they can enhance the customer experience.

Their ideas will be presented back and judged by a panel of experts, with a prize awarded to the winning team.

Megan Lipp, Head of Development at Ahead Partnership said: “It is fantastic to see Extra MSA demonstrate their commitment to social value through the expansion of their programme with us. It is vital that we engage young people at an early age and continue to re-engage them with  the exciting career options available to them, particularly with green skills becoming increasingly important across many sectors. This programme provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to understand the importance of environmental sustainability and develop key skills for their future careers, helping to  create a strong pipeline of talent to ensure future growth.

“After the success of our previous programmes with Extra MSA, we look forward to seeing the expanded programme reach even more young people at different ages and stages in their education, providing them with the opportunity to develop key skills and play their part in creating a more sustainable future.”