THAT’S WHY MODAL
TRAINING HAVE RECENTLY APPOINTED SIMULATOR SPECIALIST
To cement our status as a leader in the ever-growing renewables sector, we need to focus on two things: building a skilled and experienced workforce, and developing working methods to increase efficiency. High-tech simulators – providing realistic work experience and invaluable training – can help us address both demands.
EQUIPPING THE WORKFORCE WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS
Most large energy companies recognise the industry’s recruitment needs and provide a solution in the form of apprenticeship programmes, to ensure a steady supply of next-generation workforce. However, we also need to refresh, enhance and develop the skills of the existing workforce to maintain high standards and keep up with the pace of change.
As oil prices have fallen in recent times,
more experienced technicians from the oil & gas industry have made the switch to offshore wind. Even with experience of complicated crane operations, they need to develop specific skills for offshore wind. For example, they will be required to learn the workings of complex turbine units, and understand the systems and procedures required to install and maintain them. Although most positions within the
renewables sector are for wind turbine installation technicians and maintenance engineers, we also need to consider the skills required for support roles. These include logistics, vessel operation and charter, ship build and repair, and port and portside services.
TAILORED AND TARGETED TRAINING
Tailored, targeted training is vital to ensure those working in these jobs are operating safely and efficiently. It is important, too, to consider the critical part teamwork plays in these roles, making group training essential to ensure seamless working with clear communication and understanding.
Simulation training provides the perfect solution. It is safe, effective and cost efficient, and gives those who will be working in dangerous offshore wind locations the vital skills required. It enables users to gain experience of a variety of cranes and operations, including movement of supplies and equipment from portside to vessels, from vessels to rig, and the subsea lifting and installation of equipment. Often these are carried out in extreme weather conditions, making them even harder to complete swiftly, safely and accurately. Learning these operations would take years in the workplace, but can be achieved in just a few days in simulation.
OFFSHORE SIMULATOR CENTRE AS
That’s why Modal Training have recently appointed simulator specialist, Offshore Simulator Centre AS (OSC), to create a sophisticated crane driver simulator training suite, unique to the new £7m centre in Immingham.
At the heart of the new suite will be two crane simulators housed in domes, each with seven projectors, capable of creating realistic training environments. There will also be six desktop classroom crane simulators, four deck personnel simulators, an instructor station and a debrief room. The suite will see individuals train to drive all types of cranes, across a wide range of portside and offshore operations. Cranes are used on vessels and rigs, both to move items between the two, or vessel to vessel. They are also used for subsea operations and installations. The simulators are designed to give trainees the skills and experience they need to work on all of these, as well as carry out turbine installation. Importantly, the crane simulators can also be used to simulate offshore ship’s bridge and underwater ROV vehicle applications. This will allow whole teams of crane drivers, deck hands and offshore vessel operators to train together in a wide range of critical scenarios.
USING VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING TO MANAGE RISK AND INCREASE EFFICIENCIES
As the offshore wind sector grows as such a rapid pace, the boundaries of technology are constantly being pushed, with new techniques being introduced. To generate more power, turbine size is increasing, with larger blades being installed on windfarms, adding complexity to installation, maintenance and modification. With new territory and technology comes risk. Testing new, innovative ideas in such a volatile environment as the North Sea, with high winds and strong waves, can be dangerous and costly. That’s why the major energy companies are turning to virtual prototyping in simulation to find smarter solutions and to solve problems. Studies show that simulator training
can reduce risk factors and time by up to 50 percent. This means any new ways of working can be trialed in a controlled, safe environment, before being used in a real- life scenario. It also enables those who will be carrying out the new procedure to gain knowledge and valuable practice. This ensures a smooth and swift process out at sea, minimising any errors and lengthy timeframes, which can be expensive. We’re confident our new OSC crane simulation suite will help to create a new generation of highly-skilled offshore operators and will be key to streamlining the processes for offshore windfarm installation and service.
Patrick Henry Managing Director Modal Training
SCAN/CLICK
MORE INFO
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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