Ørsted looking for its next apprentices

Ørsted is accepting applications for its 2024 apprenticeship programme, that will be across England.

The news comes as the Government-run National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is taking place (February 5-11). The event is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses and the wider economy.

This year’s campaign theme - Skills For Life - reflects on how becoming an apprentice can help develop an individual’s skills required for a new career while also helping businesses develop a highly talented workforce.

This is Ørsted's eighth year of apprenticeships and the programme spans four years. 

Apprentices will study at either Grimsby Institute for Higher Education or Furness College, for their first year, before getting hands-on experience working offshore at one of Ørsted’s 12 offshore wind farms during the rest of their apprenticeship across both the East and West Coast.

Rob Howes, Ørsted operation apprentice manager, said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining the renewable energy sector. 

“We’re proud to be launching our eighth year of apprenticeships. We are looking for people who are passionate and put safety first. Use the application process to show us who you are, and what drives you.”

Across the UK, Ørsted has had 70 wind turbine technician apprentices since starting its programme in 2017. 

The majority of apprentices who have completed their courses to date are now full-time employees and working on Ørsted’s windfarms on both the East and West coasts.

The applications last year were of such a high calibre and Ørsted saw an increase of 250% of people applying.

Coleen Forde, national skills co-ordinator at Ørsted, said: “A huge thanks to the apprenticeship team who have worked hard on getting the applications opened. 

“I’m excited to welcome our new colleagues in September. It’s an exciting journey with lots of opportunities to not only help keep our turbines spinning, but to inspire more people into the industry.”

With a minimum age limit of 16 for applicants, there’s no maximum age for people to apply for an apprenticeship with Ørsted. 

Applicants need to have three GSCEs grade C/4 and above, including maths, English and science or a technical subject.

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will have gained a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) qualification and will become fully qualified wind turbine technicians, with an ambition to complete Higher National Certificate (HNC). 

The application window is open for two weeks and will close on Sunday, February 18.

Click here to find out more.