Liverpool-based Complete Training Solutions (CTS) has signed a partnership agreement with the renewable energy training academy at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, North Wales.
The Welsh academy works in partnership with RWE, training apprentices who later go on to work on the company’s offshore projects.
CTS and the academy have been in discussions for just under two years to deliver a complete package of training for apprentices and personnel.
The college will provide the technical training, whilst CTS will deliver the health & safety training. CTS caters for the renewable energy oil, gas, construction and rope access industries.
Tom Powell, director of CTS and Dafydd Evans, chief executive of the college group, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the boardroom at the Rhos-on-Sea campus.
“Energy is one of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s key sectors for economic activity. The Marine & Built Environment Centre at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus already provides state-of-the art facilities for renewable energy and sustainable technologies’ training in the region, with full-time and part-time courses up to foundation degree level being delivered to meet the expanding needs of the local economy,” Evans said.
Dafydd and Tom were joined by Alwyn Jones, Coleg Llandrillo’s programme manager for Engineering, Mark McDonough.
“This is a very exciting time for us in developing the only Wind Turbine Operations & Maintenance Training Centre in Wales,” McDonough said.
”The partnership allows the customer to receive both technical and health & safety training, tying it all together in one package. Coleg Llandrillo’s approval as a ‘National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies’ confirms its importance in helping to expand the low carbon energy sector within Wales, and supports the Grŵp’s strategic goal of developing its curriculum to reflect local priorities and also the economic aspirations and priorities of Wales.”
The First Minister of Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, officially launched the country’s first Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship programme and dedicated training centre at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus in December 2012. This programme is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh government.