JDR Cables is partnering with Bristol Community College in Massachusetts to provide training for future workers in the US offshore wind industry.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the college will provide technicians and workers with technical, health, safety and environmental skills needed for careers in offshore wind.
Bristol will develop and deliver training courses covering the offshore termination and testing of array cables.
It will also provide technical and safety-training courses specifically to JDR’s technicians.
The college will also promote the offshore wind industry by coordinating with the state network of MassHire Career Centers to recruit, screen, assess and refer possible technician candidates to JDR.
A National Offshore Wind Institute will be set up to host workforce development initiatives, training and job opportunities with employers.
JDR will be involved in business and education advisory committees at Bristol to provide expertise on the technical and educational curriculum and to provide recommendations of equipment, course content and procedures.
It will also sponsor K-16 STEM educational outreach initiatives at Bristol and regional middle and high schools.
Bristol Community College president Laura Douglas said: “This exciting partnership further demonstrates Bristol’s commitment to the training and development of high-paying careers in the offshore wind industry.
“It also ensures that the college will be able to support the region’s emerging offshore industry sector with highly-skilled workers, innovative training programs and the shared use of specialised facilities well into the future.”
JDR director David Nemetz said: “JDR is extremely excited to have secured this strategic partnership with the Bristol Community College.
“Bringing JDR’s industry leading 66kV cable technology and innovative thinking from working on projects in the US and around the world will be so valuable to the future workforce.
“This collaboration is a critical step in not only JDR’s strategy but for the future local workforce who will be at the forefront of delivering offshore wind energy.
“With this agreement, we have successfully established another key step in our strategy for US offshore wind and we are now prepared to make our strategy a reality.”