Member Article

High Tech training centre opens on Tyneside

A new high-tech training centre has opened on North Tyneside, aimed at providing a one stop shop for skills provision in the renewables, offshore, maritime and industrial sectors.

Advanced Industrial Solutions have worked in conjunction with Maersk Training to develop the centre, which includes specially designed structures, platforms, confined spaces and rigging and lifting areas.

Michael Bang of Maersk Training said: “Sectors like renewable energy are experiencing unprecedented growth and have resulting skills shortages that need to be plugged.

“That’s where our centre is ideally placed to help equip the workforce with the skills that are needed.”

It is hoped that the computerised workplace simulation and technical training areas will provide a comprehensive portfolio of industrial, engineering and health and safety courses, endorsed by leading trade organizations IRATA, OPITO, SPRAT, ISOH and Renewables UK.

2000 individuals will now be trained at the centre annually in techniques including rope access, insulation, working at height, confined space, rigging and lifting, and specialist training for the emerging renewable energy sector.

Alongside this specialist industry training, the centre will also offer school visits and work experience opportunities to young people.

Over 80 business leaders attended the grand opening of the centre to see demonstrations of new skills which can be acquired there, including scaling the wind turbine tower, first aid resuscitation and lifting exercises.

Paul Stonebanks, managing director of AIS, said: “Today has been a fantastic opportunity to show off our completed training facility and the first class training opportunities it offers to employees and employers alike in the wind, offshore and maritime industries.

“We are now looking forward to cementing the reputation of the North East as a global centre of excellence for offshore, maritime and wind training.”

AIS received support from North Tyneside Council for the centre, which forms part of North Tyneside’s wider Learning Village initiative. Elected Mayor for North Tyneside, Mrs Linda Arkley, officially launched the centre. She said: “It is fantastic that we have this tremendous learning and training hub on our doorstep.

“The north bank of the Tyne is one of the country’s key locations for the offshore renewable energy sector and, with the help of Enterprise Zone status, it is set to create thousands of new jobs.

“ It is vital that we provide people with the skills they need to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, and the Offshore Learning and Skills centre, as part of the Learning Village, aims to do exactly that.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .