DONG Energy to offer new offshore wind apprenticeships in Grimsby

2017-06-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

DONG Energy has partnered with the Grimsby Institute to offer new offshore wind turbine technician apprenticeships.

The new three-year apprenticeships will comprise of one year of classroom based learning at the Grimsby Institute followed by two years working on site with DONG Energy. The students will be taught in a new virtual training centre opened by the Grimsby Institute this year.

A minimum of four apprenticeships will be available and the application process opens today [19 June]. The new apprentices will start in September 2017.

Notes to Editors

About the Grimsby Institute Group:

The Grimsby Institute Group is one of England's largest providers of further and higher Education with a rich history of developing innovative training and education solutions for learners and its communities. The Group comprises of the Grimsby Institute and University Centre Grimsby, Scarborough TEC, Lincolnshire Regional College in Skegness, The Academy Grimsby and Career 6. In addition to its colleges and academies, the Group operates Modal Training, a specialist logistics training centre and Estuary TV, a dedicated TV channel broadcasting on Freeview.

The Group works closely with the renewable energy sector to support their training needs. Our specialist staff sit on the boards of the Grimsby Renewable Partnership (GRP) which enables us to be at the forefront of any training requirements of major employers as the industry grows.

About DONG Energy:

DONG Energy (NASDAQ OMX: DENERG) is one of Northern Europe's leading energy groups and is headquartered in Denmark. Around 6,200 ambitious employees, including over 850 in the UK, develop, construct and operate offshore wind farms, generate power and heat from our power stations as well as supply and trade in energy to wholesale, business and residential customers. In addition, we produce oil and gas, and a process has been initiated to divest this business unit. The continuing part of the Group has approximately 5,800 employees and generated a revenue in 2016 of DKK 61 billion (EUR 8.2 billion). For further information, see www.dongenergy.co.uk or follow us @DONGEnergyUK on Twitter.

The apprentices will study as a maintenance & operations engineering technician (MOET) with an emphasis on turbine technology. They will undertake a BTEC Level 3 in Engineering, and if they successfully complete the programme will become full-time employees at DONG Energy.

Duncan Clark, Programme Director for Hornsea Project One Offshore Wind Farm at DONG Energy, said:

"DONG Energy is committed to helping develop people with the right skills to deliver the UK's offshore wind ambitions and so we're delighted to be taking on apprentices in Grimsby.

"Our new operations hub being built in the Grimsby Royal Dock will help maintain our offshore wind projects in the North Sea, and we want local people with relevant skills to work out of the hub and benefit from a highly rewarding job in a fantastic industry.

"Apprenticeships are a great way to learn on the job and the Grimsby Institute is a state-of-the art facility. We believe this scheme will provide a very attractive opportunity to become a fully qualified wind turbine technician. These roles are exciting and varied – not every job can offer a breath-taking view of the UK coastline!"

Gill Alton, Chief Executive of the Grimsby Institute, said:

"We are delighted to be partnering with DONG Energy to deliver the training for their new maintenance & operations engineering technician apprenticeships. Grimsby is home to the wind energy industry and it's excellent news for the town that the Institute has been selected by DONG Energy to provide the skills, knowledge and key employability skills the apprentices will develop in their first year. We have invested significantly over the last few years in providing state-of-the-art education and training facilities which will enable the apprentices to learn in realistic working environments.

"I am looking forward to a long and successful partnership with DONG Energy which will provide outstanding opportunities for people from the area."

Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby, said:

"It is absolutely vital that our young people get the skills and training they need to achieve the career they wish to pursue. The renewables sector is one of the most innovative and exciting industries using cutting edge technology to help produce ever cheaper, clean energy. I am delighted that DONG and the Grimsby Institute are working together to provide real apprenticeship opportunities to local students that will hopefully lead to jobs and long careers in the sector."

A wind turbine technician is part of a team responsible for ensuring an offshore wind farm continues to operate successfully for its lifetime, planned to be more than 20 years. The main function of the role is to carry out a variety of manual tasks and fault diagnostics to ensure the wind turbines are working reliably and at maximum efficiency. The work is carried out at sea fixing complex machinery and the turbines can be over 100 meters in height from sea level so the ability to work at height is essential.

Transport to the turbines is via sea vessel or helicopter so being comfortable with air and sea travel is also necessary.

DONG Energy is exploring the possibility of expanding its apprenticeship scheme further in the future, potentially into other regions where it operates including Liverpool and Barrow.

Anyone interested in applying for an apprenticeship should visit: http://bit.ly/ApprenticeDONG

For additional information, please contact:

Juliette Sanders - Ørsted
+44 20 7811 1181