Lowestoft CollegePresentation to WDC – Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Renewable Energy and Skill Development

16 January 2012

Agenda

• The Skills Need• Lowestoft College Background Information• College Collaboration • Developments in Maritime, Offshore and

Energy

The Skills NeedOffshore Renewable Energy

• Estimates of the numbers of jobs created vary dramatically. • Range of occupations required – significant focus on STEM

skills especially engineering• Range of levels from Level 2 Apprenticeships (GCSEs) to

Chartered Engineers (Masters degree)• Offshore Renewables will be in competition with Sizewell

for engineering staff• Skills need includes:

– Underpinning knowledge – eg BEng Operational Engineering– Offshore safety– Equipment specific courses eg Compex

Lowestoft CollegeBackground

• ‘An outstanding college at the heart of our community which inspires and challenges students to succeed’

• 5000 students including 1250 16-18 year old full time, 380 Apprentices

• Vocational areas include:– Business Administration, Care, Construction, Creative

Studies, Engineering, Hair & Beauty, Hospitality, Retail & Customer Service, Uniformed Services

• All levels from Foundation to Higher Education• Maritime, Offshore & Energy specialism

College Collaboration

• Employers – Apprenticeships, Short Courses• EEEGR – Energy Skills Foundation Course, EPISCentre• JCP – Energy Sector Work Academy in development • Lowestoft 6th Form College – Joint curriculum

development• Great Yarmouth College – eg Nexus engineering centre• Suffolk Colleges – University Campus Suffolk• Schools – Lowestoft & N Suffolk 11-19 Partnerships,

Pakefield Energy Developments, North Suffolk Skills Centre • Independent Training Providers – eg Petans for fire

fighting training, NWFTC

Development in Maritime,Offshore and Energy

• National Wind Farm Training Centre development

• Delivery of new courses required by industry eg Compex, wind turbine electrical awareness

• Maritime and Energy pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships

• Major investment in Engineering Centre and student facilities over Summer 2011

Environmental Tank

National Wind Farm

Training Centre

Engineering : Welding

Learning Resource Centre

North Suffolk Skills Centre, Halesworth

Conclusions

• We have a big challenge to deliver the skills needed....

• ....but we are starting from a good base• The energy industry has captured the

imaginations of the young people in Waveney• We cannot provide the skills need without

significant collaboration

Questions?