UK’s first wind turbine training tower, which is part of a project to develop a UK Center for Wind Technician Skills, will be erected in Blyth, Northumberland, northeast of England.

Northumberland College, NaREC, and Mainstream Renewable Power will collaborate on the project, which is backed by the Regional Development Agency of One North East.

The project aims to prepare the wind sector for training its personnel while ensuring that the economic benefits from wind projects will be maximized. Offshore wind is estimated to permanently employ thousand of technicians for construction, operations, and maintenance.

“The training tower and associated infrastructure includes the necessary internal and external features to deliver Level 3 and some Level 4 training courses as part of Northumberland College’s Wind Technician Training. The tower will allow us to increase the number of technicians that can be trained and enhance our reputation as the leading provider of wind energy skills training in the UK,” said Northumberland College’s Assistant Principal,
Paul Cook. Northumberland College also plans to expand its Wind Technician Training Course.

“Mainstream is fully committed to increasing the quality and quantity of skilled personnel qualified to work offshore and to drive the offshore wind sector. Our focus is on training for offshore construction, operations and maintenance jobs, ensuring the relevant and necessary mechanical, electrical, health and safety and offshore survival qualifications,” said Mainstream Renewable Power’s head for offshore projects, Chris Hill.

“Our partnership with Northumberland College, Port of Blyth and NaREC is fundamental to closing the skills gap, not just for Round 3 wind farms, but for the wider European sector,” Hill added.

Northumberland College is an institution for further education that is based in Ashington, Northumberland. NaREC is a research and consultancy firm specializing in renewable energy technologies. Mainstream Renewable Power is an international developer of renewable energy plants.


-  Jen Balboa

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Sources:

¹ http://www.narec.co.uk/main/st3113
² http://www.mainstreamrp.com/