Global operator Maersk Training’s arrival on the Humber has been celebrated, with the desire to create an international centre of excellence for offshore wind lauded by industry leaders.
The Danish giant has dropped anchor at the Catch facility in Stallingborough to create a 16th centre, having responded to requests from clients including Orsted to bring sector training close to the “focal point of the offshore wind sector in the 海角视频”.
And the commitment and aspiration was held up by Renewable海角视频 chief executive Hugh McNeal, the special guest at Wednesday's launch.
The head of the industry body, and former lead civil servant for the sector, urged all involved to push on with such plans as the ramp up continues at pace.
“We need to grab this moment to lock in the regeneration and transformation already being started,” he said. “What a moment it is. Last week the announcement from The Crown Estate and auction results alone mean 16,000 new jobs and £30 billion of new investment. It means record low prices for consumers – money is going to go back in alongside all of the jobs and investment to come.
"It is the biggest single step towards net zero so far, all of that delivered with a sector deal already agreed with government and a commitment to our industry from across the political spectrum. Whatever else they disagree on, and they pretty much disagree on everything, every political party supports offshore wind.
“This is the moment to reshape the region for years to come, to create new high quality, high value jobs for all people."
Maersk itself will create more than a dozen jobs as the courses build.
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"Here on the Humber, the transformation in Grimsby, this is starting to happen, and it is a pleasure to celebrate with Maersk Training," Mr McNeal said. "Hundreds of people will come through this facility and have new opportunities in this industry. They will be able to build careers and transition from industries we no longer need in the future. It is a real statement of intent from a company with years of experience delivering training all over the world.
“This is training helping local people win the high value roles they deserve. A workforce, working locally, trained locally, transforming places like Grimsby, creating new opportunities, and ensuring our industry really leaves its mark – creating jobs where energy transition really comes to life.”
Maersk has taken over from AIS at the facility, with managing director John Abate underlining his pledge made during the set-up that he wants to create a global centre of excellence. Significant further expansions are envisaged. It deals in the key courses to allow technicians to go offshore, as well as a suite of allied certifications.
“We are genuinely really excited to be here,” Mr Abate said. “We have been trying to get in to the Humber for some time, so it is quite a big milestone for us and our customers to say we can offer these courses.
“We firmly believe over a period of time we have the opportunity here – with the region’s heritage and what it is trying to achieve – to set up a centre of excellence that has a worldwide reputation.”
The world’s largest offshore wind farm is virtually complete, having been built out of the Humber, with its successor also on the way – both will be operated and maintained from Grimsby.
Round Four, as highlighted by Mr McNeal, favours this area and the latest winners of support are also in a competitive sailing distance with North East ports.
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David Talbot, chief executive of Catch, the landlord venue, said: “It is important to us to support the renewables industry and Maersk’s values are really important to me. There is a real synergy with Catch, about what we are trying to provide as a region.
“We are in the right place at the right time with a will to drive forward decarbonisation and renewables are key to that. It is the right place and the right time to drive forward the skills for the renewables industry.”
Business support organisations Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership welcomed Maersk to the cluster, with the latter holdings its monthly networking event at the site immediately after.
Mark O'Reilly, chair and chief executive of Team Humber, said: "The Humber is now in the Premier League in offshore terms, we need to maintain that and attract new players and keep our foot on the accelerator. Having organisations like Maersk set up in the Humber is another important part of the jigsaw."
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