RWE celebrates National Apprenticeship Week and launches 2024 Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship programme
- RWE currently has twelve apprentices in training from the Humber region
- National Apprentice Week takes place between 5th and 11th February 2024
- Four more regional apprentice positions have now opened for applications
During National Apprenticeship Week, RWE is celebrating the success of its accredited Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship scheme which is now open for applications for the 2024 cohort. RWE, one of the world’s leading offshore wind companies, already has eleven apprentices in training from the Humber region who, once trained, will gain employment working on projects like Humber Gateway, Triton Knoll and Sofia located at Grimsby’s Royal Docks. Four new apprenticeship positions are now open locally for applications.
RWE’s NVQ Level 3 Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship scheme first launched in 2012 to generate skilled wind technicians who could meet the growing needs of the offshore wind sector along with helping young locals start a career in one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK. RWE trainee wind turbine technicians are stationed at some of the largest offshore wind farms in the UK. The course offers a comprehensive and well supported learning programme, with a blend of classroom-based learning and time on site working with trained technicians.
The course lasts for three years, with two of those years in college, followed by a full year hands on experience whilst training at one of RWE’s offshore wind farm sites. A national apprenticeships hub has been developed by RWE in North Wales and this is where the two years of college-based study takes place, fully supported by the business.
Apprenticeships play a very important role in bridging the skills gap currently being encountered by the offshore wind industry both locally and nationally. RWE is pleased to provide full time employment to seventeen ex-apprentices across its Humber based sites.
In December 2022, the RWE Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship scheme was accredited with the Institution of Engineering and Technology demonstrating the quality of programme. The IET has history dating back to 1871 and is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community, with circa 170,000 members in 150 countries.
As well as the Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship, RWE also launched a brand new HSE apprenticeship in 2023 recruiting two apprentices for its Triton Knoll offshore site. Aurelia Pearson was one of the successful candidate and is now training from the RWE Grimsby Hub and described her apprenticeship as ‘a fantastic opportunity’ and detailed the importance of being ‘part of a company with such a powerful ethos.’ She added: ‘I am surrounded by inspirational people and a range of unique opportunities to learn new skills. I can utilise my interest in the environment and am very excited to play a part in the future of safety within the wind industry.’
To find out more about the apprenticeships on offer at RWE and to apply, please visit: https://uk.rwe.com/career/apprenticeships/offshore-wind-turbine-technician-apprenticeships/.
RWE is the leading power producer in the UK, accounting for around 15% of all electricity generated in the UK, with a diverse operational portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas. Between 2012 and 2021, RWE delivered a 43% reduction in carbon intensity for the electricity produced across its operational portfolio in the UK (0.52 to 0.30 tCO2/MWh). Overall, and including its committed investments in projects already under construction, RWE expects to invest up to £15 billion in new green technologies and infrastructure in the UK by 2030.