Ospreys skipper Alun Wyn Jones joined the Ospreys long-term commercial partner RWE npower renewables at the launch of Wales' first wind turbine technician apprenticeship scheme at Coleg Llandrillo's Rhos-on-Sea campus in north Wales on Wednesday.
The new programme, which was officially unveiled by the First Minister of Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, will operate in conjunction with Gr?p Llandrillo Menai, and will be based at a dedicated training centre at Coleg Llandrillo, Wales’ biggest college.
Six of the initial intake of 10 apprentices, from Mid and North Wales will spend two years studying at Cole Llandrillo’s new wind turbine training centre before gaining first-hand experience on a project in their final year.
ISOFab, a mechanical engineering contractor based in Treherbert in the Rhondda, is taking on the remaining four youngsters to work on projects run by developer Vattenfall.
They are spending their first year at Neath Port Talbot College before moving to the Coleg Llandrillo facility for their second year.
On completion of the course, each apprentice is expected to go on to a job on RWE NRL’s most important flagship wind farm projects onshore and offshore in Wales, including Gwynt y Môr– currently one of the largest offshore wind farms in construction in Europe.
After attending the event, Alun Wyn commented:
“It was a pleasure to be part of such a big day for our commercial partners at RWE npower renewables. Just like the Ospreys they are a forward thinking, innovative business that is dedicated to developing Welsh talent and investing in the local community.
“I wish all the youngsters involved the very best of luck for the duration of their apprenticeships and for their future careers.”