Teesside University and Innogy’s Sofia offshore wind farm have signed an agreement setting out how they will work together to build local skills and capabilities to equip students for careers in the offshore wind sector.
The two have signed a memorandum of understanding which sets out how they will work together on joint initiatives, training, educations, skills development and creating employment opportunities.
The 1.4GW Sofia project will be constructed 195 km from shore on Dogger Bank in the North Sea.
With a landfall in Teesside, between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea and an operations facility to be based at a North East port, a local skilled workforce will be vital to the construction and running of the wind farm.
Through a structured partnership, Teesside University will help Sofia ensure that necessary skills will be available throughout the wind farm’s lifetime and that where feasible that those skills will be developed locally.
Sofia senior consents manager Kim Gauld-Clark said: “We look forward to working with the University on initiatives such as curriculum development, delivering offshore wind STEM-related master classes, offering student mentoring and internships, sponsoring directed study projects and taking part in university careers fairs and events.”
Teesside University’s work with Sofia will be led by its School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies which has an established track record of working together with industry to help companies fulfil their potential through graduate talent and relevant research expertise.
The MoU was signed by Kim Gauld-Clark on behalf of Sofia and from Teesside University, by Siobhan Fenton, Associate Dean (Enterprise and Business Engagement) in the University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies.
Fenton said: “The offshore wind industry is a rapidly developing sector which provides a wide range of opportunities for collaboration, employment and skills development.
“Sofia’s project is extremely ambitious and we are delighted to be working alongside them as the wind farm develops – providing additional opportunities for our students and graduates and combining our joint expertise for the greater benefit of the region.