CWind, a leading UK offshore wind farm service provider, is growing its turbine technician department in response to increased demand from clients. The new starters will join the existing team in assembling turbine components onshore, ready for being shipped offshore for installation.
Once offshore, they will work with the manufacturers’ teams to construct turbines at several offshore wind farms around the UK.
Looming skills shortage
The recruitment drive at CWind comes at a time when both industry bodies and government ministries are calling for measures to counteract what is seen to be a significant skills shortage looming in the industry over the next few years. The UK offshore wind industry has grown sharply over the last few years, tripling installed capacity and quadrupling its direct workforce. With the industry moving into the Operations and Maintenance phase on the first round of wind farms and UK based industry players now expanding into other European markets, employment growth is likely to continue on high levels. Existing developers’ commitments total 23GW by 2021, equating to an almost ten-fold increase on current staffing levels. Depending on the volume of wind farms deployed, employment in the sector could rise to 42,000 by 2021, representing a 14-fold increase.
Significant growth and further potential
CWind launched its turbine technician services early last year. Initial responses from clients have shown the service to be in high demand and beyond the current dozen being added to the team, CWind is already looking at a further recruitment drive later this year.
Lars Hansen, Turbine Technicians Manager at CWind, said: “We have had a fantastic response to our recruitment drive this time round, receiving more than 250 applications for the 12 positions. The calibre of applicants was excellent throughout, so we have no concerns over being able to fill the next set of openings later this year.”
Offshore wind – a natural environment for service leavers
Half of the new starters CWind has hired, are service leavers with either a navy or RAF background. Lars Hansen said: “Service leavers are an excellent match to the needs of employers in the offshore wind industry: reliable, resourceful people, with lots of experience. Their electrical and mechanical skills have been tested and proven under stress. As the number of service leavers increases over the next couple of years, the offshore wind industry may just have found a solution to its skills shortage. Just as important for us: is their ‘get the job done’ attitude. Already service leavers make up roughly 20% of our turbine technicians. We are pleased to welcome the new starters who are certain to make a huge contribution to our efforts at CWind. “
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Press release, May 22, 2013; Image: cwind