Northumberland College, Narec and Mainstream Renewable Power have announced a collaborative training partnership, backed by Regional Development Agency, One North East, which plans to erect the country’s first wind turbine training tower in Blyth, Northumberland as the next step in the development of a UK Centre for Wind Technician Skills.

The industry estimates that offshore wind will permanently employ thousands of technicians in construction and long-term operations and maintenance jobs by the time Round 3 projects are commissioned in 2020. The purpose of this initiative is to put the necessary training in place to ensure the UK gets the maximum economic benefit from the new offshore wind industry.