LM Wind Power has recruited more than 50 people, so far, to its ‘centre of excellence’ in Cherbourg, France, as part of the company’s plans to ramp up operations at the site to manufacture 107-metre turbine blades.
The company aims to grow the plant to 100 people by the end of the year, and further recruitment in 2019 and 2020 will see the facility reach the full production capacity of 550 jobs.
The new hires are undertaking a four-week training course in Cherbourg and will then embark on a three-month placement abroad at another LM Wind factory – either in Spain, Denmark, Poland or Canada depending on the job scope.
Training includes a week of theoretical training, followed by another week practicing on a real piece of a blade mould.
LM Wind site training coordinator Sylvain Viau said: “We could feel the excitement when everyone started to practice on the mould. The new employees discovered what the manufacturing process was about and realised that they’ll have to work as a team to make these blades come to life.
“They are all proud to participate in this unique project, and it is priceless to see them motivated.”
All trainees will have to be ready for the start of the production and prototyping phase of the 107-metre blade in January 2019.
The blade, the longest in the world, is planned to be incorporated into GE’s new Haliade-X 12MW turbine.
LM 107.0P project manager Lukasz Cejrowski said: “This project entails an extra challenge as we are ramping up a new factory, with new infrastructure, new machinery and new people, combined with a new product introduction at a size we have never done before.
“It is very important to combine all our efforts to prepare for the upcoming months. There is huge, positive excitement from everyone involved and especially from the Cherbourg team about starting up new factory and producing this giant blade.”
The new employees were hired through specific recruitment methods based on a range of skills, including ability to work in a team, perform under time constraints, follow instructions and represent a rigorous process, as well as their personal motivation.
Cherbourg plant director Erwan Le Floch said: “To become an operator, you don’t need to have experience in the area: it’s a new industry and this job doesn’t exist in France, yet. We are therefore looking for all types of profiles – what matters is their motivation.”