Training deal struck to tackle chronic skills shortages

The initiative, which has been set up to try and address the chronic shortage of skills in the subsea sector, as well as maritime as a whole, will begin by offering courses on operating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), trenching and other subsea equipment.

Demand is increasing across the board as offshore wind becomes more widespread, and Drift Offshore has joined forces with the college UHI North, West and Hebrides to provide courses.

”There is an acknowledged industry shortage of such personnel, who are absolutely key to the safe and successful delivery of offshore projects,” said Kyle Pitman, founder and director of Drift Offshore.

“It’s an issue which is particularly pertinent to energy transition. It presents many new opportunities to the subsea sector but also makes new demands – not least in terms of requiring the right people, with the right skills, to support it.”

UHI North, West and Hebrides has 19 campuses, some of which have shoreside facilities to enable students to put into practice what they are taught, which UHI says will be in line with standards set by the International Marine Contractors’ Association (IMCA).

“By combining DRIFT Offshore’s expertise in delivering industry-recognised training with UHI North, West and Hebrides’ shoreside facilities and academic excellence, we’ve created a powerful collaboration that supports the skills pipeline for the subsea industry.