Two-way transition for oil and gas techniques successful in wind
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has entered into a partnership with both Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to launch a new cross-skilling programme, supporting worker transferability between oil and gas to wind operations and maintenance.
Qualified oil and gas technicians will be able to transition through the two-way programme into onshore and offshore wind, being able to return when maintenance activity is required. To meet the Government's wind targets set for 2030, production needs to double for both offshore and onshore wind.
Projections set out by the Offshore Wind Industry Council are set to fall short by 4,500 skilled operations and maintenance roles for the next five years, creating a great need for these roles.
Andrew Hockey, CEO of the ECITB, said: “Oil and gas will need to continue, certainly in the short and medium term, and we need to ensure the industry has the skilled workforce it needs to deploy to both existing oil and gas fields as well as onshore and offshore wind. This programme can create opportunities for our UK supply chain companies to diversify their energy portfolios and ensure the continuing development of a competent and competitive wind energy supply chain.”
Two cohorts will enter the pilot scheme, kicking out of North East Scotland College, Aberdeen in March and then followed up by Forth Valley College, Grangemouth in May.
The six-week programme is based on the connected competence model, assuring base technical competencies of common skills. The programme is suited to both onshore and offshore wind operations, supporting existing instrument and controls, mechanical and electrical technicians. The programme will provide the requisite standard of technical training across pathways, allowing attendees to work as Wind Turbine Maintenance Technicians (WTMT).
Registration is now open for wind farm developers along with supply chain organisations.
Hockey added: “The ECITB is providing additional funding for employers to support this cross-skilling of the workforce. I’d like to extend thanks to the ORE Catapult for its significant contribution in allowing learners site access to its offshore wind turbine. It is vital we maintain the appropriate standards of technical skills and behavioural safety across the engineering construction sectors and the two-way transition of skilled workers between sectors will help improve safety, workforce mobility and the resilience of the industry.”
Training will be conducted by approved provider RelyOn Nutec and will include site access to ORE Catapult’s Levenmouth demonstration turbine, allowing technicians to contextualise their learnings, meaning they are best prepared to work in the real world.
Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of the GWO, said: “GWO has been working in collaboration with the ECITB to encourage the recognition of skills and reduce the duplication of training for workers. This pilot programme achieves alignment with industry standards through ‘GWO Recognition’, a service offered by certified training providers. When applied to industry-recognised schemes such as ECITB’s Connected Competence, GWO Recognition can reduce training time for workers by up to 88% for basic technical training (BTT) certification.”
Tony Quinn, Director of Technology Development at ORE Catapult, said: “Making it as easy as possible for workers to transfer skills and knowledge from the oil & gas sector into offshore renewables is a vital piece of the jigsaw when it comes to supporting our energy transition and journey towards Net Zero. By enabling the use of our Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine to enrich the experience of the workers cross-skilling into offshore wind, we’re able to offer a safe, controlled and realistic environment for those workers to hone the skills needed to make that transition.”
Quinn added: “It also complements the activities of our strategic skills programmes as well as initiatives like the Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) which helps the entry and growth of UK supply chain organisations into the wind industry.”
A large driver behind the initiative is to decrease workplace incidents and accidents, this can be achieved by ensuring a base level of competence and technical competence for all workers. This can help create a safe, productive working environment.
Paul Bradley from the Health & Safety Executive commented: “The HSE welcomes the increased focus on technical standards, Connected Competence and accreditation. Maintenance Technicians in the wind sector are working in hazardous and confined areas. These areas include being inside the nacelles of wind turbines, working on and around electricity, sensitive electronics, hubs and rotors – all of which pose safety risks to the individuals and wider teams.”
Katy Heidenreich, Supply Chain and People Director from OEUK, said: “The pilot programme is an exciting initiative that dovetails into our work on the Energy Skills Passport. The Connected Competence initiative and the cross-skilling programme offer the essential skills required to deliver the homegrown oil and gas the UK needs for decades to come alongside renewable energy.
Heidenreich added: “This complements the Energy Skills Passport in allowing people to make informed decisions about their jobs and future and be supported in doing so. We encourage organisations who are considering future opportunities across the energy mix to consider this programme along with Connected Competence and look forward to future inclusion within the Energy Skills Passport.”
