New SeAH Wind Academy set to open at £450m facility

A six-month development programme to train and develop future welders for the vast £450m SeAH Wind facility is set for launch.

The SeAH Wind Academy will see 30 people put through a 24-week training and development programme with the help of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and its Adult Education Budget. The learners will gain the knowledge and skills required to successfully pass welder approval testing in accordance with BS EN 9606-1 using the FCAW process in positions 2G (PC) and 3G (PF).

They will also gain work-ready knowledge and skills to participate in heavy engineering activities in the welding sector including an appreciation of SAW, arc air gouging, and appropriate welding theory. The huge Offshore Wind Turbine monopile manufacturing facility at South Bank will see a half-mile long factory housing hundreds of workers when complete.

SeAH Wind will work with Nordic Products and Services and Middlesbrough College on two programmes, under its SeAH Wind Academy programme.

In partnership with Nordic Products and Services, 20 people will attend a 24-week full time intensive training and development course. This route is open to unemployed people in receipt of benefits and from week nine they will receive a wage up to completion of the programme.

In partnership with Middlesbrough College the additional 10 people, who will typically be currently in employment but seeking to up-skill, will attend an intensive 24-week part-time programme of two 3.5 hour evening sessions per week. All 30 will, on successful completion of the programmes, then be offered full-time permanent positions with SeAH Wind.

Once fully operational, it is expected that a total of 750 direct jobs and 1,500 further supply chain jobs are set to come from the SeAH manufacturing facility. The Combined Authority has controlled Adult Education funding in the region since 2019.

Martin Corney, Teesworks CEO, said: “SeAH Wind’s facility is a very important of the wider plans we have for Teesworks as we become the number one site in the UK for green industries. It’s very pleasing to see the next generation of talent being brought through to take on roles at SeAH and I’m pleased to see the firm putting down deep roots in our region.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “This goes to show the commitment companies like SeAH Wind are making and how serious they are about making their game changing projects a success for generations to come. I’m delighted we’ve been able to work with the College and Nordic to fund this programme – and I’m excited about the potential it has to grow.

“We’re leading the charge in the UK’s push towards Net Zero, and projects at Teesworks and within our Freeport are showing we are the true epicentre of green, well-paid jobs for people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool and those beyond.”

The programme will see 20 budding welders join Nordic Product and Services with 10 at Middlesbrough College.

Nordic Managing Director Mark Roddy added: “Nordic are delighted to lead this full-time training, supporting anyone who has the ambition and attitude to establish and advance their career in such an exciting sector.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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