UK Wind Energy College targets to fill sustainability talent gap

photo courtesy constructionenquirer.

The UK Government has announced its plans to open the National College of Wind Energy based in the Humber area.

The scheme has been announced a day after IEMA asked the UK Government to address a sustainability skills gap in the workforce.

First of its kind in Britain, the college is expected to open by 2016.

The institution will perform as a national hub for skills, training and education imparting expertise knowledge in offshore wind, according to government sources.

Students will be offered with post-A-level professional qualifications, equipping them with up-to-date and innovative technical skills needed in the wind industry.

photo courtesy constructionenquirer.
photo courtesy constructionenquirer.

The entire organization will be funded by employers and the government grant provided with an aim of bridging the gap.

Rather, wind energy generation is a new segment, demanding high-level skilled employees and the lack of qualified workforce may lead to grave challenges in future.

Moreover, the launch of college ensures that the global development appreciated in offshore wind is practiced in home-grown skills.

Through the College, Government and industry are investing in the people who will create local jobs and prosperity for the region, explained, Nick Boles, minister for skills, UK.

The facility will be located near the Humber region in northeast England.

Humber is emerging as the focus for offshore wind activity in UK due to major investments done by significant players in the market.

The city of Hull will host Siemens’ turbine assembly and blade plants, considered as the largest industrial investment in the UK offshore sector.

Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]