FEATURE SPONSOR
SPOTLIGHT ON WALES
SAFETY TRAINING IN WALES MEETING THE DEMAND
With a long coastline, large forests, high rainfall and an excellent wind resource, Wales is one of the most promising renewable energy locations in Europe according to wind energy trade association RenewableUK. With an almost tenfold increase in the number of wind energy sites in Wales between 2003 and 2011, the mountainous country is certainly on its way to meeting its renewable potential.
WIND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN WALES In the past few years, Wales has been host to the development of a number of large scale wind farms, such as Rhyl Flats, North Hoyle and Gwynt-y-Mor. By 2010, the wind sector was already making an annual contribution of more than £150 million to the Welsh economy, higher than the contribution of forestry and fishery combined.
In response to this rapid growth, companies such as South Wales based safety specialists, Safety Technology Ltd, have leapt at the chance of supporting this expanding industry.
NEW TRAINING FACILITY Headquartered in Raglan, South Wales, Safety Technology is a leading provider of safety training, equipment and H&S guidance to the wind energy sector.
In response to the growing number of onshore and offshore wind farms springing up around the country, Safety Technology announced earlier this year the opening of their brand new training facility, located in the Port of Mostyn, North Wales.
Located in a hub of offshore wind activity, the Port of Mostyn hosts some of the country’s major offshore wind farm construction projects and is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence for wind energy.
WIND INDUSTRY FOCUSED This new centre now offers industry required safety training for individuals working in and around wind turbines, including RenewableUK and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) courses.
This news has come just in the nick of time, with five Welsh wind farm projects currently in development and an additional six onshore wind farms (each of other 50 MW) having been ‘submitted’ for approval to the UK Government.
SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGE As the sector continues to grow in Wales to reach its target of 22.5 Gigawatts of installed capacity from different renewable energy technologies by 2020/25, pressure is mounting on its supply chain to guarantee its success.
Safety Technology’s locations in both the South and North of Wales will ensure accessible training for the wind energy giants, who have now set up bases in Wales, as well as catering for smaller scale wind projects and providing introductory training for individuals looking to take advantage of the influx of new job opportunities in this sector.
TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY Managing Director of Safety Technology, Bob Dickens, said on the developments in Welsh Wind “We have a tremendous opportunity in offshore development in this region and we are really pleased to have received strong support and commitment from the Welsh Assembly government in the establishment of our new centre.
“We look forward to continued investment in the sector here in Wales.” Bob concluded.
BDM Ben Williams, and GM Ops Mike Dickens
GOVERNMENT FUNDED TRAINING Safety Technology is also now offering Government funded places on their
Port of Mostyn, location of Safety Technology Ltd’s new training facility
RenewableUK and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accredited Work at Height and Rescue safety course to individuals working or living in Wales.
Selected earlier this year to deliver the Working at Height in the Energy Sector training for Energy & Utility Skills Low Carbon Energy and Marine Power Institute, the company can now offer their clients based or working in Wales funded places on their industry recognised training.
PROVIDING A GATEWAY TO APPROVED TRAINING PROVIDERS
The Low Carbon Energy and Marine Power Institute was developed by Energy & Utility Skills with the main aim of providing a gateway for the Welsh Energy sector to approved training providers. The scheme is funded by Welsh Government through their Sector Priorities Fund Pilot supported by the European Social Fund.
DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS AND GRASPING OPPORTUNITIES The newly developed Institute is already playing a huge role in developing new skills for the current Energy workforce in Wales, enabling employers’ access to subsidised courses to help fulfil their training needs.
EU Skills Project Manager, Dyfed Jones, said of Safety Technology’s subsidised training “This is a fantastic opportunity for those living or working in Wales to access top quality training at a significantly reduced rate.”
Subsidised places on Safety Technology’s RenewableUK and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Work at Height and Rescue training are being offered from their Welsh training centres in Raglan (South Wales) and Mostyn (North Wales).
Katie Dawes Safety Technology Ltd
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 49
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