New course designed to boost wind industry

A Newcastle based training provider is aiming to help reduce the acute wind industry skills shortage by launching a new course.

Maersk Training will offer the four day Level 1 Competent Blade Technician – Inspection and Repair course for candidates seeking employment in the offshore wind, oil and gas, and maritime sectors.

Maersk has recognised a severe skills shortage in these sectors, with a deficiency of 5,000 workers per year.

The course is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills required to undertake basic inspection, preventative maintenance and simple repairs to turbine blades.

Maersk Training’s chief executive officer Stuart Cameron said: “This course has been developed in direct response to the needs of the industry and, as such, it is suitable not only for people already working within the industry but also people who might be looking for a new career opportunity, such as ex forces personnel, unemployed people etc.”

Earlier this year, a European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) report warned that the European wind industry cannot find the skilled personnel it urgently needs, despite rising unemployment.

Courses will be held at Maersk’s state-of-the art UK training centre, set up in Newcastle in 2007, with the first course scheduled to run from 9-12 September. Cost per person is £1,350 plus VAT.

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