6:22PM, Thu Apr 12, 2012

Wind And Maritime Training Centre To Fill Thousands Of Renewable Energy Jobs

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: North Tyneside

A new wind and maritime training centre has opened in North Tyneside to prepare for thousands of potential jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The specialist centre developed by Advanced Industrial Solutions and Maersk training provides a hub for developing skills across the renewable energy, offshore, maritime and industrial sectors.

It features a 65ft high wind training tower and rigging and lifting areas where trainees can learn new skills.

Up to 80 jobs will be created at the centre itself over the next three years, and they expect to train 2000 people a year to take on jobs in the expanding renewabel energy sector.

It is hoped there will be thousands of jobs created in the region in the Green energy sector over the next few years.

Maersk Training's Michael Bang said: "Sectors like renewable energy are experiencing unprecedented growth and have resulting skills shortages that need to be plugged.

"That's where our centre is ideally placed to help equip the workforce with the skills that are needed."

As well as providing skills training for industry, the centre will also offer school visits and work placements.