Vestas has teamed up with the developer of the 443MW Viking wind farm, SSE Renewables, to offer four people the opportunity to join their apprenticeship programme.
The successful candidates would learn the skills needed to become wind turbine technicians and ultimately have the opportunity to work at Viking, on the Shetland Isles in Scotland, when it opens in a few years’ time.
Following the recruitment of the first four apprentices in 2021, Vestas will assess the potential extension of the programme.
In August last year, it was confirmed that Vestas would supply the 103 turbines for the project.
As part of the contract, Vestas entered into a long-term 30-year agreement to service the wind farm when operational, with the ambition to establish a Shetland-based service organisation providing employment opportunities.
The company has now begun its search for the apprentices to join that team.
Vestas UK and Ireland service director Keith Wallace said: “We’re pleased to be offering this exciting opportunity for some keen and enthusiastic apprentices to join us on the journey to deliver and maintain Shetland and the UK’s clean energy future through wind power.
“We want to hear from candidates in Shetland who really want to get involved and learn a lot about our industry, whilst developing a broad range of skills for a career in a growing, globally important industry.
“These are great opportunities for four deserving candidates to have a frontline role in the renewable energy industry, and we look forward to hearing from them.”
Developing the Young Workforce Shetland wants local people to apply for the opportunities.
Emily van Tonder, school coordinator from Developing the Young Workforce Shetland, said: “We’re keen to assist young people in Shetland to apply for these apprenticeships in any way we can.
“We’re currently running our DYW Summer Leavers Programme, offering support with CV checks, mock interviews and e-learning opportunities and we’d be happy to help any young people who are interested in these excellent opportunities.
“Our colleagues at Skills Development Scotland are also on hand to help people of any age in Shetland who would like help submitting an application for the Vestas roles.”