Orsted, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy have announced plans to collaborate with Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) to provide skilled Scottish workforce for floating wind.
The consortium, which is taking part in the current ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, has announced details of a tie-up with the ESP to help provide the workforce required to construct floating wind farms in Scotland.
Jim Brown, a director at ESP, said: “The college sector has supported the wind industry in Scotland for over ten years having piloted the First Apprenticeship Programme for the UK and training hundreds of wind turbine technicians.
“This activity has accelerated over recent years driven by offshore wind developments and our Wind Training Network expanding to 10 member colleges informed by discussions with industry.
“We are delighted to be part of this collaboration that will maximise the job opportunities in Scotland and ensure industry’s skills needs are met.”
The deal with ESP will also develop programmes to re-skill the existing workforce, offering new opportunities to anyone keen to retrain.
Carlos Martin, CEO of BlueFloat Energy, said: “Sites off the coast of Scotland are ideal for developing floating wind farms.
“Our work with ESP will look at developing training in emerging areas such as advanced manufacturing and hydrogen related studies which would assist future projects and maximise the benefits of floating wind to Scotland.
“We are keen to share our expertise in delivering floating wind with local stakeholders to ensure they can benefit fully from the opportunity that it presents.”