B9 Energy
NARRATOR: Wind energy is one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world. It is now
government policy for a large number of wind farms to be built. It was a major coup when Dong
Energy committed to Belfast. Dong is a world leader in renewable energy, headquartered in
Denmark. The organisation intends to use Belfast Harbour as a base for its construction and
operation.
David Surplus
Managing Director, B9 Energy
DAVID SURPLUS: Dong Energy needed a guarantee that a skilled workforce would be available to
meet the challenges of the sector. B9 Energy, based in Larne, has a wealth of experience, since 1992,
in wind turbine operation and maintenance. With 35 sites under contract, we are the largest
independent operator of wind farms across the UK and Ireland. We have been delivering high-level
in-house training for a number of years. However, now, there's an opportunity to formalise that
training and have it nationally recognised.
NARRATOR: Energy and Utility Skills, EU Skills, is the Sector Skills Council for the large scale
renewable energies. It articulates the voice of the employer on skills issues, and aggregates employer
demand. In collaboration with a number of employers, The National Occupational Standards, known
as NOS, that already existed for engineering, were contextualised, and a suite of QCF qualifications,
Qualifications & Credit Framework, were developed for the wind energy sector.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power engineering – Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance
(QFC) with a credit value of 82
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power engineering – Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance
(QFC) with a credit value of 76
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Wind Turbine Maintenance (Technical
Knowledge) (QFC) with a credit value of 65 provides the technical knowledge
Chris Corken
Course Co-ordinator, Belfast MET
CHRIS CORKEN: As a result of a meeting with the Department for Employment and Learning and
Invest NI, B9 Energy and Belfast Metropolitan College set about working together to deliver the
qualifications. We combined our academic and industrial resources to provide a training environment
that promotes the development and accreditation of skills within the wind turbine sector. Belfast
Met has a prime location with close proximity to Belfast Harbour. We're one of the largest colleges in
the UK, with the capacity to meet the growing demands of the industry. The college currently
delivers training in all aspects of the engineering disciplines for the wind turbine sector.
NARRATOR: The QCF diplomas are initially targeted at up-skilling existing operatives, giving them the
opportunity to have their skills and experience nationally recognised. They are also an improved
requirement for the Wind Turbine Operation and Maintenance Apprenticeship, Northern Ireland. B9
Energy, Belfast Met and EU Skills will work collaboratively to promote these new QCF qualifications.
CHRIS CORKEN: Belfast Met devised a new and innovative delivery model that accommodates the
working patterns of the operatives, given the remoteness of most wind farms. We have developed a
distance learning course with support provided by a dedicated virtual learning environment,
incorporating web conferencing and mobile technology. To facilitate the assessment of the
qualifications and to make it cost effective, four area supervisors from B9 Energy are currently being
trained as assessors. This enables them to become an integral part of the course team and conduct
site observations.
NARRATOR: Belfast Met staff will complete a significant period of industrial placement with B9
Energy, in order to understand the challenges faced by operatives, and to ensure the standards
promoted within the qualification are upheld. B9 Energy is keen to recruit staff that already have
existing electrical or mechanical qualifications. The Level Three Technical Certificate will provide the
required knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of wind turbines. Work is
ongoing with a range of stakeholders to identify combinations of units to support multiple entry and
progression routes. A pathway for installation and commissioning has already been completed.
David Surplus
Managing Director, B9 Energy
DAVID SURPLUS: The main challenge for B9 Energy is growth. The UK sector needs 5,000 offshore
operation and maintenance staff by 2020. To help meet the demand, the company will have to grow
at the rate of 100 to 200 skilled operatives per year. Our headquarters is in Northern Ireland, and we
also have sites in the USA, with plans for Germany and Spain. We are very excited about the new
nationally recognised QCF qualifications, and particularly the link to the European Qualifications
Framework. This provides a common reference framework that links the qualifications of different
countries together, helping to develop a workforce that is both mobile and flexible.