The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), in partnership with the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, has launched a cross-skilling programme to support the transferability of workers between oil and gas and wind operations and maintenance.
The pilot programme enables qualified oil and gas technicians to transition into onshore and offshore wind roles and return to oil and gas as needed. Two training cohorts will begin in March at North East Scotland College, Aberdeen, and in May at Forth Valley College, Grangemouth.
Based on the Connected Competence model, the fully funded six-week programme is designed for onshore and offshore wind operations. It is open to Instrument & Controls, Mechanical, and Electrical Technicians, equipping them with the technical skills required to work as Wind Turbine Maintenance Technicians (WTMT). Training will be delivered by Forth Valley and North East Scotland Colleges, along with GWO and ECITB-approved provider RelyOn Nutec. The programme includes site access to ORE Catapult’s Levenmouth demonstration turbine to provide hands-on experience inside a wind turbine nacelle.
With oil and gas production in the UK believed to have peaked and the government committed to a transition towards clean energy, existing fields will continue to require maintenance and decommissioning while the offshore wind sector expands. The programme aims to address workforce demands in both industries.
