UK’s first fully qualified wind turbine apprentice crowned in our Grimsby
AFORMER Grimsby schoolboy has become the first apprentice to fully qualify as a wind turbine technician. David Davidson has secured a distinction in his final assessment - a technical triumph itself as it was live streamed from 120m above the North Sea - having been part of Orsted’s inaugural intake in 2017.
He took part in the award-winning Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician programme with Grimsby Institute, blazing a trail that has seen a further 32 colleagues in the town and in Barrow follow.
Now he’s ensuring Race Bank offshore wind farm continue to help the UK transition from a reliance on fossil fuels to renewables when it comes to powering the nation.
The former Hereford School pupil switched from a machining apprenticeship to take on the sought-after position in his home town, as the £14 million base was developed in Royal Dock. Now it is home to the world-leading wind farm, Hornsea One, with a successor following.
He said: “Now I have completed my apprenticeship at Ørsted I have hit the ground running with my future career path. I could not be more grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I will continue to recommend the program to anyone who wants to join this expanding industry.”
Orsted worked alongside education providers, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education and Furness College in Barrow, with industry input to shape the course.
Bernie Zakary, head oEnergy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service, the independent awarding body that conducted the final apprenticeship assessment, said: “We were delighted to be appointed as the end-point assessment organisation for the first ever wind turbine technician apprentice. The assessment provided several challenges, not least that the apprentice was in the North Sea on a 120m high wind turbine, the assessor was on shore and the assessment was live streamed. Congratulations to David and we look forward to carrying out many more assessments in the future.”
Applications for the next intake are now open, with a minimum age of 16.