oceanwinds.com

PublicEngagement

Moray West is proud to be supporting the communities around our Buckie base in the north east of Scotland and contributing to a broad range of skills development and community development projects. The long-term relationships with businesses, community groups and education institutions around our Buckie base are aligned to enhance the direct employment and supply chain benefits that flow from the project.

Skills Development

Ocean Winds recognises the vital importance of growing the number of skilled people able and keen to work in the offshore wind sector. To support the broader skills development agenda Ocean Winds is well connected to the skills stakeholders that are promoting and delivering the skills needs of our sector.

 

STEM

In secondary schools, a partnership with SSERC serves to deliver a comprehensive STEM programme that fully aligns with relevant public sector strategies.

Part of the partnership is aimed at growing and deploying STEM Ambassadors to schools.

Additionally, the STEM programme funds:

  • Wind turbine kits for use in schools’ science experiments.
  • Several schools’ careers events at Lossiemouth High School and Buckie High School.
  • Funding the STEM Leader 7 programme at The Education Academy Scotland with a focus on underrepresented and underserved communities and on students from northeast Scotland.
  • Funding the continuation of the former ‘Nuffield Research Placement Programme’ to allow 16-year-olds from Scottish schools a unique work placement experience.

Promoting
Pathways to offshore wind

In an evolving skills landscape, the team is working with multiple stakeholders to ensure the necessary actions are taking place to ensure the right numbers of people with the right skills and qualifications are available at the right time for this rapidly growing sector. Moray West is an active contributor through our work with skills working groups including OWIC (Offshore Wind Industry Council), Scottish level - SOWEC (Scottish Offshore Wind Council) and regional - UHI (University of Highlands & Islands), and Energy Transition Zone.

Through collaboration with these and other organisations, the team is able to bring its operational experience to discussions on future skills needs and channel resources to where they are needed. By supporting pathways through schools, colleges, universities and career transitions – Moray West is making a vital contribution to ensuring the employment opportunities in the sector are realised.

Universities

There are active links with several universities across Scotland to support undergraduate and graduate programmes. These include a funded PhD programme, guest lectures, and curriculum development.

Scholarship

There is an annual award of up to £2,000 for young applicants from the north and east of Scotland who are about to start undergraduate courses relevant to the offshore wind sector. This fund is publicised through the Blackbullion portal.

Armed Forces Covenant

Moray West recognises the value of our Armed Forces and Ocean Winds currently has silver award of the Employer Recognition Scheme. With the Moray West operations base at Buckie being within a few miles of 2 major military bases at Kinloss and Lossiemouth, there are great opportunities to support transition out of the armed forces into new careers, as well as wider support for the armed forces community.

Community Projects

Moray West has been able to support some fantastic local programmes and events. During the construction phase of the project there has been a modest budget for grants to local groups. As construction phase comes to an end and the project moves into operations there will be a reset on what, if any, community funding becomes available.