Ørsted has opened up applications for its wind turbine technician apprenticeship programme in the UK.

The programme spans across three and a half years and sees apprentices studying locally for their first year before getting hands on experience working offshore and across the company in their second and third years.

The minimum age limit is 16, while there is no maximum age to apply for an apprenticeship with Ørsted.

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.

Rob Howes, learning and development senior specialist said: “The main attribute we’re looking for in our applicants is passion. We want team players who look out for each other are proud of their hobbies and their work. Whilst grades are important in the application process, we’re really looking for the people who want to play their part in combatting climate change.”

In the UK, Ørsted has hired a total of 33 wind turbine technician apprentices since starting its programme in 2017 with its first cohort of four, who are now fully qualified technicians working offshore.

Last year, the company took on a total of 11 apprentices who are now studying their first year at either the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education or at Furness College in Barrow.