Safety and technical training provider for the wind, oil and gas and maritime industries, Maersk Training in the UK (Maersk Training), has announced that it has entered a global partnership with Bristol Community College’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) in Massachusetts, United States.
The collaboration is the next step in securing Bristol’s National Offshore Wind Institute as the region’s leader in basic safety training and basic technical training programs certified by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO).
President of Bristol Community College, Laura L. Douglas says, “Bristol is proud to partner with globally recognised Maersk Training, whose expertise and experience will elevate the college’s leadership in training the workforce needed for the emerging offshore wind industry. This partnership will connect the college’s faculty and staff with the expertise of industry experts throughout Maersk Training’s expansive global network and will strengthen the development of employment opportunities for Bristol students in the offshore wind supply chain.”
CEO, Maersk Training, Johan Uggla, says, “We are really excited about this partnership with Bristol Community College and the wind energy developments in Massachusetts on the East Coast of the United States. Having a local workforce that has a strong level of competencies, technical skills and safety, that drives operational and safety performance, is essential for the industry and the success of these projects. This is an important milestone that supports creating further job opportunities and being a strong provider for the local economy.”
Maersk Training is part of A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, a company that has been in the US for many years focusing on shipping, ports and logistics. Alex Øbell Nielsen, Head of Business Development for Maersk Training, says that the partnership will tap into decades of offshore wind training experience. A strong benefit for students who attend the college and the local community.
NOWI’s basic safety training modules include the areas of first aid, manual handling, fire awareness, working at heights and sea survival, whereas the basic technical training courses focus on hydraulics, mechanical and electrical concepts regarding offshore wind. Maersk Training is at the forefront of offshore wind skills development. The partnership will establish the skills development training portion of NOWI and develop new GWO courses offered by Bristol Community College that are currently tailored to in-demand industry skills and knowledge.
The GWO is a non-profit organisation, founded by leading turbine manufacturers and owner/operators, with the goal of creating a safer, more productive workplace. The GWO Basic Safety Training program (GWO-BST) was created as the safety standard for those working in the wind industry.
NOWI will span the knowledge spectrum with GWO-accredited skills development in partnership with Maersk Training on one side, while meeting the demand on the business/non-technical side through the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, which will stimulate new venture and job creation supporting economic development in Massachusetts and throughout New England.
In addition, Bristol Community College is a frontrunner in offshore wind education by offering dedicated certificate and associate level programs to become an offshore wind power technician. In the programs, students learn aspects of engineering technology such as electrical machinery, fluid systems, materials science and strength of materials, and they gain hands-on experience with assembly, installation, operation and maintenance of wind power systems.
For information about Bristol Community College’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI), including information about Bristol’s previous offshore wind industry initiatives, visit www.bristolcc.edu/NOWI.
