Rampion’s newest apprentices start their training

Rampion Operations & Maintenance Base has now taken on ten apprentices, four of them already fully trained technicians working full-time on the Rampion turbines as part of the 65-strong Newhaven based team who work daily to operate the wind farm.

Rampion General Manager Richard Crowhurst said, “We are delighted to welcome Fiona and George to our team. They both excelled during a very competitive application process, and we are excited to be part of their career development.

“Our apprenticeship scheme is part of our commitment to continue investing in development of local skills. Offshore wind is an exciting and growing industry, with the number of people working in direct and indirect jobs in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry set to rise significantly, from 26,000 currently to over 69,800* by 2026.”

George Smith was working in the automotive industry as an apprentice engine test and installation technician before deciding that he wanted to make the change into the renewable industry. He said, “There is a massive future in this industry and so far I am really enjoying being away with the RWE apprentices; we all have a great bond already. For me, choosing Rampion as the site that I wanted to work with during my apprenticeship was a no brainer. With Rampion 2 in the pipeline and all the great things that Rampion do for the surrounding communities, it made complete sense for me to apply for the position.

“If I had any advice for anyone else who was in my position, I would one hundred percent recommend them to make the same choice that I did, as I haven’t looked back and am loving every single second of it.”

Fiona McColgan who moved to Brighton to study, realised she wanted to do something more tangible after working from home for the past 18 months. She said:

“I studied Geography at university and had a keen interest in sustainability. Prior to the apprenticeship I had no experience in engineering. I was based in the financial and public sector for the last 7 years, working in senior compliance roles.

“I had looked into the apprenticeship a few years before applying and always thought it looked like a great opportunity to start a career in a growing industry, but was unsure whether to commit to the change in career. Having lots of time to reflect over the pandemic gave me the push to go for it.”

The apprenticeship takes around three and a half years to complete. The first two years are predominantly classroom based and spent completing a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification in Electrical and Electronic Engineering as well as a range of practical training courses at a bespoke Wind Turbine training facility at Llandrillo College in North Wales. Their third year will include on-site training at Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, working from the Operations & Maintenance Base in Newhaven.

The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, located 13km off the Sussex coast last year produces around 1,400GWh, enough energy to power  350,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 600,000 tonnes per year.

Ref * OWIC

ENDS

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