The operator of the world’s largest wind farm, Equinor, has welcomed the approach of North East training provider, AIS Survivex in helping local suppliers identify and upskill workers for its Dogger Bank project, which is expected to deliver first power in 2023.
AIS Survivex, which is the UK’s largest wind training provider and part of the 3t Energy Group, has been working collaboratively with dozens of local companies in the Dogger Bank supply chain to ensure they have skilled personnel in place for the project’s start. Hundreds of local workers have been trained or upskilled in the full range of Global Wind Organisation (GWO) safety and skills courses, many of which are mandatory before you can work in the sector.
In addition to skills training, AIS Survivex has worked with local companies to digitise and streamline the management and reporting of training through software systems developed by sister company, 3t Transform.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, and Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion and during its expected operational life of around 35 years. When complete Dogger Bank will be the world’s largest wind farm and is expected to provide clean renewable power for six million homes. It will be operated from the Port of Tyne, which is just minutes away from AIS Survivex’s Renewable Energy Training Centre of Excellence in North Tyneside.
Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager for Equinor said:
“Throughout the Dogger Bank project, we have been committed to supporting the North East economy and using local suppliers. AIS Survivex shares this approach and has been working collaboratively with the supply chain to ensure we have the right skills-base locally to deliver the project effectively, with the highest levels of safety and compliance. We would like to commend them for all their hard work and look forward to working with them further over the lifetime of the project.”
Head of renewables at AIS Survivex, Charlie Guthrie, said:
“Given the scale of Dogger Bank, having the right workforce in place with the right skills ready to mobilise at a moment’s notice will be crucial.
“Our experience in this arena is vast and we have been able to bring solutions to the project that will help it run safer, smarter and more efficiently. These solutions include delivering the full range of GWO training, as well as helping to direct green skills funding for the upskilling of North East people, retraining military personnel and providing training management services which streamline the way companies manage their workforce.”