Ex-military personal join the frontline of offshore wind

Programme retrains armed forces personnel to work in wind sector engineering

A new UK initiative is retraining former members of the armed forces and putting them to work in the offshore wind industry.

The Military into Offshore Wind scheme has seen four new recruits complete their training with East Coast College in Norfolk, England.

Niall Clayton, George Reeve, Zak Trainor and Calum Lockley will now move into full time roles as wind turbine technicians with Stowen and Certex.

Certex provides steel wire rope, lifting equipment and services to the renewable, while Stowen provides the renewable, oil & gas, marine and nuclear support sectors with technical services.

Reeve, who recently left the Royal Navy, said: “I was attracted by the offshore wind sector due to the unique working environment it can offer. No two days will be the same which is something I’m already used to.

“I see the industry as a route for me to progress in my career. This training programme is allowing me to take the first steps into the sector and into employment.”

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The Military into Offshore Wind programme aims to attract those seeking a new career after serving in the armed forces into the engineering construction industry.

It is a collaboration between the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), an employer-led skills body; East Coast College and local employers.

Matt Knights of the ECITB explained the importance this programme has for the wind industry in the east of England: “This initiative complements the ambition of the offshore wind sector deal to facilitate the transfer of former military personnel with appropriate skills into the industry.”

East Coast College’s skills lead for East Wind, Rachel Bunn, said: “This programme was designed to supported those seeking a new career in offshore wind and showcases how collaboration can drive success and new career opportunities.

"The calibre of delegates has been outstanding and I have no doubt they will excel in their chosen career.”

Knights added: “The Military into Offshore Wind programme is just one of the many projects in which the ECITB is attracting new entrants into the Engineering Construction Industry to address the skills gaps and forecast labour shortages across the industry. 

“Military personnel are ideal potential employees for the offshore energy industry as they have transferable skills and can bring a wealth of knowledge from management through to problem solving.

The Military into Offshore Wind syllabus includes:

• Introduction to the offshore wind sector
• Health & behavioural safety in the sector
• Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training
• Energy Institute Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR)
• GWO Slinger course
• Employability support
• ECITB Wind Turbine Compact and Davit Cranes Maintenance and Statutory Inspection
• ECITB Wind Turbine Service Lift Maintenance and Statutory Inspection
• ECITB Inspection of Working at Height Systems & Equipment.