Maersk Training has been signed up by Babcock Marine Training to develop a custom-built wind energy training facility in Paisley.
It will be the seventh facility Maersk Training has opened across the UK, delivering its GWO (Global Wind Organisation) accredited courses for the renewables industry.
The modular training unit, which uses recycled and modified freight containers, can be quickly deployed and reduces the need for travel during the Covid crisis.
The concept has been tried and tested for the renewables industry in the north west of England at Walney Wind Farm and in Taiwan.
The Paisley facility has been purpose-built to deliver GWO accredited courses including GWO Basic Safety Training (Onshore), GWO Advanced Rescue and GWO Slinger Signaller.
James Costello, Senior Sales Manager, UK Renewables at Maersk Training, said: “In spite of the challenges 2020 has presented, the wind energy sector has continued to grow. The expansion of both offshore and onshore wind in Scotland will increase job opportunities and boost the economy.
“Technician safety is the number one priority of our customers and now more than ever training must be delivered in the safest way possible. This means observing social distancing and reducing the distance that people need to travel.
“The Paisley facility allows us to deliver training in smaller, controlled groups and with so many technicians working around the central belt it allows a significant reduction in both the risks and costs associated with travel.
“The news has been welcomed by our local clients and for the first time in the UK there is now a single GWO training provider who can deliver training in all the major wind energy clusters.”
Mark Graves, Managing Director, Babcock Marine Training, added: “Our talented team and state-of-the-art facility at Paisley offers a range of specialised training capabilities and Babcock is pleased to be able to work with Maersk Training to support the wind energy sector. It is great to be working together to support UK skills and prosperity, and we look forward to forging more opportunities like this in the future.”
