RWE is launching two new school careers programmes linked to its 1400MW Sofia offshore wind farm in the North Sea off England.
The company said the programmes are part of its wider commitment to encouraging young people to join the UK’s growing renewables sector.
Both programmes will support and encourage pupils and teachers within the Teesside area, where Sofia will shortly start construction of its onshore infrastructure.
They will involve partnering with local multi-academy Tees Valley Education Trust, to create offshore wind teaching resources for around 20 primary schools within the catchment area of its onshore infrastructure.
There will be online teacher workshops provided to support the materials, which will be widely shared through education websites.
There will also be a secondary school education initiative called ‘Sofia Champions for Wind’, and support for teachers to develop their own subject-specific curriculum materials.
Five teachers from Redcar schools have been named as ‘champions’, whereby they will design resources to teach their students – aged from 12 to 18 – about offshore wind and its career opportunities.
RWE Renewables chief commercial officer and UK country chair Tom Glover said: “Offshore wind is one of the most exciting growth industries in the UK, with significant buildout targets already set by government.
“While the UK offshore industry already employs thousands of people, this number must grow significantly if we are to achieve these ambitious targets.
“By developing targeted careers resources such as those being launched by RWE’s Sofia project today, we aim to attract new and diverse talent into our business, to bring in fresh ideas and fresh thinking.
“We work very closely with local education specialists and communities in order to deliver the best opportunities for those living near to where our projects are located.”
RWE said Sofia’s final investment decision, and the start of its onshore construction is on track for March.