UK: Maersk Organises Free Offshore Wind Courses to Ex-Forces Personnel

Ex-Forces personnel are benefiting from free places on a newly developed qualification offered by Maersk Training in Newcastle designed to help them take advantage of job opportunities in the thriving offshore wind energy sector.

The Level 2 Diploma in Staying Safe in the Wind Turbine Environment (Onshore and Offshore) has been developed by Newcastle based Maersk Training and lasts up to ten weeks. The Diploma covers the essential skills, knowledge and training people need to work in an offshore wind turbine environment, anywhere in the world.

Stuart Cameron, Managing Director at Maersk Training said:

 “Tough economic times mean unemployment rates are high in our region. Encouragingly, the offshore wind energy sector is expanding at a very fast pace and there are numerous opportunities for people seeking employment and looking to get into a thriving industry, however learning these safety skills is a vital prerequisite.”

The recent Renewable UK Skills Manifesto estimates that by 2023 the sector will require an additional 70,500 skilled workers and clearly our qualification will go some way to filling the skills shortage in the sector.

 “The transferable skills gained throughout a career in the Forces are in great demand across the Wind industry and we are delighted to be providing an opportunity to get their foot on the ladder and gain a valued qualification. Many of our instructors come from a Forces background and they are able to use their own experiences to relate to people training with us.”

 “We are very excited to be working with Maersk Training to help people gain access to the skills and training required for employment within the growing Wind industry.” JobCentrePlus

Following the success of a pilot course from July – September this year, a number of delegates have already obtained interviews and jobs within the industry.

The first Diploma was a great success, with some people travelling over from their bases in Germany as part of their resettlement training, and the second cohort have recently started. A third Diploma is programmed to start in early November, followed by Diplomas starting every 4 – 6 weeks from January 2014 onwards. To qualify for a free place, applicants with a Forces background must be aged 19 or over on 31st August 2013. People who do not qualify for a free place are eligible to apply for a place at a subsidised rate.

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Press release, October 7, 2013; Image: energicoast