This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
SPOTLIGHT ON WEST OF SCOTLAND


ENSURING THE SUPPLY OF SKILLED WORKERS TO SCOTLAND’S BIGGEST GROWTH SECTOR


Safety Technology’s new ‘Introduction to Wind Turbines’ course was delivered to Scotland’s future Wind Turbine Technicians recently as part of a specially-devised Wind Energy diploma at Ayr College in South West Scotland.


OVERALL AMBITION


The diploma was launched in March 2013 and is supported and part- funded by Whitelee Windfarm operator ScottishPower Renewables and Energy Skills Partnership Scotland, with the overall ambition to encourage more local employment opportunities in renewable energy for people living in the South West of Scotland.


OPPORTUNITIES


With the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, Whitelee, on its doorstep and substantial investment being pumped into the area, the opportunities for local employment in South West Scotland have been quickly recognised. As a result Energy Skills Partnership have brought together Britain’s leading Wind Energy experts to offer this specialist programme to provide candidates for work readiness in the Wind Energy sector in Scotland, and as part of this support are providing funding including capital expenditure for the project.


SPECIALIST PROGRAMME Safety Technology has been working closely with this working group to offer an extensive range of courses designed and developed for individuals looking to work in the country’s fastest growing renewable energy sector. Combining Ayr College’s 30 years of experience in delivering high quality courses for the aeronautical sector, with Safety Technology’s extensive knowledge of Wind Turbine safety, this new partnership ensures that the suite of Wind Energy courses cover both the practical and theoretical understanding needed to work in the sector.


Bob Dickens, Managing Director of Safety Technology, said of the new programme “We are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking initiative with Energy Skills Partnership and leading technology colleges in Scotland to provide a fully joined up programme to support the supply chain requirements of this growing sector.”


INDUSTRY GROWTH


With a new electricity target announced last year to generate the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s own electricity demand from renewable resources by 2020, the sector shows no sign of slowing down.


This huge surge in installed and planned wind capacity in the country has resulted in a vast increase in highly skilled, long-term employment opportunities in the area. In response to this Safety Technology has set in motion plans to expand their current Wind Turbine Technician training in Scotland, with a training tower currently in planning for their base at Ayr College in South West Scotland.


LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS The Curriculum Director at Ayr College, Sooh Sweeney, said on the new suite of courses “Our aim is to provide industry approved training in wind turbine maintenance to create a pool of work- ready technicians. The energy sector developments in South West Scotland will be of great benefit to the local communities and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with key partners in meeting industry demands locally.”


JOINT ACCREDITATION


With no currently registered RenewableUK and GWO combined training providers based in the country, Safety Technology will be the first of its kind to be able to offer joint accreditation in these industry recognised courses out of Scotland.


STRATEGICALLY PLACED TRAINING CENTRES


Through its existing accredited training facilities in Blyth, Great Yarmouth and South Wales, Safety Technology are able to offer RenewableUK accredited Work at Height and Rescue training alongside the GWO Basic Safety Training to a host of Wind Energy ‘hotspots’ throughout the UK.


By strategically placing its training centres in these locations, Safety Technology can offer services closer to their customers than any other providers, with the aim of delivering high quality training with the least disruption to their clients operations.


Safety Technology www.safetytechnology.co.uk


62


www.windenergynetwork.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116