A NEW partnership could see local college students get jobs as wind turbine technicians.

Ayrshire College and renewable energy company, Gamesa Energy UK, have this week announced a potential partnership that could see the college launch a new transitional training scheme for would be wind turbine technicians in the region.

The college and energy company are exploring possibilities to deliver the course in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, the Energy Skills Partnership and the Department for Work and Pensions, and are working to secure funding for the course, which will aim to commence in early Summer 2016.

Both parties are are now calling for expressions of interest from students and skilled engineers who are keen to train, or retrain, in the renewables industry as wind turbine technicians.

The company manufacture and supply turbines worldwide and have a strong track record in the South West, with 322 Gamesa turbines either installed or ordered in South West Scotland to date.

Gamesa first developed a similar model with Dumfries and Galloway College last year to train local students to become wind turbine technicians and are now looking to replicate this with Ayrshire College.

Once funding is confirmed the new course would provide a mix of college based learning and onsite placement at one of the firms sites in South West Scotland, with the possibility of securing a full time, permanent role with the company upon successful completion of the programme.

Eligibility for funding may be subject to entrance criteria, as yet to be confirmed.

Laura Fleming, UK Director of Development at Gamesa said: “We have been developing our Scottish portfolio significantly in the last few years, with an increased focus on the South West, in particular South and East Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway. As we secured a number of large scale contracts in the region, including supplying turbines for the 96 turbine Kilgallioch Wind Farm, it was clear to us that we needed to develop the local workforce to meet our growing labour needs.”

“We have been in discussions with the College for a number of months to help develop a training course that will begin in early Summer this year. This could provide an opportunity for both students looking to enter the labour market for the first time and skilled engineers seeking new employment opportunities, for example those affected by the recent Mahle closure. We are now asking that any interested candidates send their CV to the College for consideration. Once we have gauged the interest locally we hope to hold an information day at the College for candidates ahead of selection and the commencement of the course in Summer this year.”

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Alan Brown said: “It is fantastic to see such forwardthinking from industry with this proposal to work cooperatively to deliver highly trained future technicians for our strong renewables sector. I have highlighted this endeavour at Westminster as best practice as I believe we must make the strongest possible links between enterprise and education to secure long term employment and opportunity in our region.”

Councillrr Jim Todd, Provost of East Ayrshire added: ”In East Ayrshire we pride ourselves on having and training a flexible, skilled workforce, embracing new industries and technologies and investing in education and skills training for all ages. We welcome the partnership between Gamesa, Ayrshire College, Energy Skills Partnership and the Department for Work and Pensions that will provide this new chance for people to gain a first class training, equipping them to pursue solid job opportunities in the renewables industry.”