Green energy: Wind turbine apprenticeship scheme opens at RWE
HANDS-ON: RWE Apprentices learning new skills at college
By Simon Bristow
Renewable energy company RWE has launched its 2023 Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship programme and is encouraging applications from people in Hull.
Twelve new apprenticeships are available around the UK with four new roles based in Grimsby at the Grimsby Hub and Humber Gateway sites.
The scheme generates skilled wind turbine technicians to help meet the growing needs of the offshore wind sector.
A company spokeswoman said: “A number of our successful applicants in past years have come from Hull and we would really like to encourage more applications from the Hull area this time around. Our scheme is very successful and, successful applicants will come away with a NVQ Level 3 and long-term employment at one of our wind farm sites based in Grimsby.”
The NVQ Level 3 Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship first launched in 2012 to generate skilled wind technicians who could meet the growing needs of the offshore wind sector. RWE trainee wind turbine technicians are stationed at some of the largest offshore wind farms in the UK. The course offers a comprehensive and well supported learning programme, with a blend of classroom-based learning and time on site working with trained technicians.
The course lasts for three years, with two of those in college, followed by a full year hands-on experience while training at an offshore wind farm sites. A national apprenticeships hub has been developed by RWE in North Wales where the two years of college-based study takes place, fully supported by the business.
So far in the Humber region alone, eleven apprentices are currently completing their three-year apprenticeship through RWE and, once trained, will gain employment working on projects like Humber Gateway and Triton Knoll.
Kerry Monument, operations manager for the Grimsby Hub, said: “Being a wind turbine technician is a very rewarding job that allows people to work on highly advanced machinery in a challenging environment. Offshore wind is an important industry for the Humber region and will provide plenty of employment opportunities for years to come, but we need to ensure we have enough trained people locally to meet the needs of the industry.”
Many of the apprentices trained through the programme have already gone on to work as technicians on RWE wind farms.
Nathan Kerins, production manager at Humber Gateway, said: “The RWE Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship provides a fantastic opportunity for people to train and gain long-term employment in offshore wind. We already have five full-time technicians trained through the apprenticeship scheme working on Humber Gateway alone with many more based at our sites all around the UK .”
The scheme became accredited with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in December 2022. The IET has history dating back to 1871 and is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community, with about 170,000 members in 150 countries.
Applications to the scheme close on March 17.
Potential applicants can find out more about the roles available on the dedicated RWE Apprenticeship Hub here.
RWE is a leading player in renewables and expects to invest more than €50bn gross by 2030 to grow its green core business globally, with £15bn earmarked for the UK.
During 2022, the 856 megawatts (MW) Triton Knoll offshore wind farm became fully operational, while RWE’s 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm is now well into construction. RWE is also involved in four of the UK’s seven offshore wind extension projects and recently signed Agreements for Lease for their two Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm sites.
The company is also exploring floating wind projects including in the Celtic Sea region.