Making the move from military to o shore wind

The o shore wind industry gained four new recruits recently, after they completed their training with East Coast College as part of a Military into O shore Wind initiative.

This programme aims to attract those seeking a new career after serving in the armed forces into the engineering construction industry. It is a collaboration between the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), East Coast College, and local employers.

Wind Turbine Technicians

The former militaries completed their course at the college’s campus in

Lowestoft and will now move into full time roles as Wind Turbine Technicians with Stowen and Certex. Representatives from the ECITB, Stowen, Certex and East Coast College joined the new recruits on their penultimate day at the college. Matt Knights, Interim Head of Regional Operations at the ECITB, was at the event. He explains the importance this programme has for the wind industry in the East of England: “The ECITB has, in its current strategy ‘Leading Industry

Learning’, pledged to expand entry pathways into the engineering and construction industry. The ‘Military into O shore Wind’ programme is a good example of such a pathway and is a collaborative model between local employers, East Coast College and the ECITB. This initiative complements the ambition of the o shore wind sector deal to facilitate the transfer of former military personnel with appropriate skills into the industry.”

Outstanding calibre

East Coast College’s Skills Lead for East Wind, Rachel Bunn, adds, “This programme was designed to support those seeking a new career in o shore wind and showcases how collaboration can drive success and new career opportunities. The calibre of delegates has been outstanding and, I have no doubt, they will excel in their chosen career.” George Reeve, one of the students on the programme who recently left the Navy, states, “I was attracted by the o shore wind sector due to the unique working environment it can o er. No two days will be the same which is something I’m already used to. I see the industry as a route for me to progress in my career. This training programme is allowing me to take the first steps into the sector and into employment.” Mr Knights adds, “The ‘Military into O shore Wind’ programme is just one of the many projects in which the ECITB is attracting new entrants into the Engineering Construction Industry to address the skills gaps and forecast labour shortages across the industry. Military personnel are ideal potential employees for the o shore energy industry as they have transferable skills and can bring a wealth of knowledge from management through to problem solving. We are looking to create new pathways into industry, supporting the transition of workers for net zero projects and actively promote the diversity of the workforce.”

Syllabus

The collaborative project was co-funded by the ECITB and East Coast College through Growth Deal Funding. The programme syllabus included:

• Introduction to the o shore wind sector.

• Health & behavioural safety in the sector.

• Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training.

• Energy Institute Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR).

• GWO Slinger course.

• Employability support.

• ECITB Wind Turbine Compact and Davit Cranes Maintenance and Statutory Inspection.

• ECITB Wind Turbine Service Lift Maintenance and Statutory Inspection.

• ECITB Inspection of Working at Height Systems & Equipment. i.