Winds and Tides Guide book

CONTENTS

Introduction Qualifications Case study —
Understanding Mobilities
Project Partners Marine Renewable Scotland to France
Overview of Wind and Energy Case study —
Marine Sector — Scale of Mobilities
Opportunity Opportunities France to Norway

Scope Case study —Mobilities Mobilities
Norway to Scotland Feedback
Career planning
Cop21

Project
Dissemination

INTRODUCTION In 2020, 4% of European electricity will be produced from Marine Renewable
Energy (MRE). The Winds and Tides project is based on the development
of the MRE industry across three European regions:

Normandy, France - holds a strategic position at the heart of France’s first offshore
wind turbine programme making the most of the natural, structural and technological
advantages that have put it at the forefront of this promising sector. As well as a
development plan for the experimentation and production of electricity through tidal
farms.
Norway – has a keen emphasis on Oil and Gas production with renewable energy
focused on hydro-electricity. With the decline in Oil and Gas Norway now has a
focus on renewable energies and enterprises on the Western coast to look at new
markets outside the oil supply industry.
Scotland - has an already advanced Wind & Marine Renewable sector and a high
level of onshore and offshore wind either built, consented or planned. It has a
priority for Marine Renewable Energy with the establishment of the European
Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), reinforced by Scottish Government’s target of 100%
of electricity from renewables by 2020.
This project’s aims have been to develop new vocational education and training
offerings to meet the requirements of the growing wind and tidal power industries in
the three respective regions and disseminate the approach at regional, national and
European level.

This has been achieved through the following activities:

Mapping of competencies, analysis of existing
curricula and identification of gaps

Creation of crosscutting modules

Development of customized modules for the Wind
and Marine Renewable Industry, targeting level 4
and 5 of the EQF

Implementation of student Mobilities

Dissemination of project progress through Website
and social networks

Development of this guidebook highlighting
implementation of training

1

Knarvik vidaregåande skule is an upper secondary

school offering both vocational and general training across
eight areas of study including Electrical, Technical and
industrial production and Building and construction to over
1,000 students. Located 25 km to the north of Bergen in
Norway the school is the largest secondary school in
Hordaland. The school has strong links with local employers
in the Oil and Gas, Mechanical Engineering and
Manufacturing industries and has developed a four-year TAF
education programme offering both general and vocational
training opening pathways to studies at university and
engineering college both in Norway and abroad.

http://www.hordaland.no/nn-NO/skole/knarvikvgs/

Région Normandie is the local regional Council which

oversee and implement vocational training and apprenticeships for
non-qualified school leavers and adults looking for vocational
opportunities within the Normandy region. In collaboration with the
State, labour and corporate representatives, the region coordinates
and structures the training offer in the framework of the regional
plan for the development of vocational training and guidance
(contrat de plan regional de développement de la formation
professionnelle (CPRDFP)).

https://www.normandie.fr/

Energy Skills Partnership is a G IP-FCIP de l'académie de Caen is a

collaboration of all Scotland’s 13 regional department of the head-office of State Education
colleges. Hosted by Dundee and Angus in Normandy, France and enables public
College. The partnership aims to increase educational institutions initial or ongoing to
Scotland’s capacity to deliver skills and develop projects, mostly with EU funding, in
prevent duplication of effort and investment Further Training and Professional integration in
for the Energy, Engineering and Normandy. Their mission is to develop, guide
Construction sectors by ensuring capacity, and implement adult training on behalf of the
quality and affordability. By working in a Caen Education Authority, which represents
cohesive partnership Scotland’s colleges State Education for the Normandy Region.
demonstrate a responsiveness and
collective capability to provide the technical https://www.ac-caen.fr/
skills and competence required by industry
and ‘future proof’ Scotland’s workforce.

http://www.esp-scotland.ac.uk/

2

Overview of the Wind

and Marine sector —

Scale of Opportunity

The offshore wind and marine industry in Europe is indeed a
challenge of scale that also offers many opportunities.
This sector is being driven by the national targets that have
been set by the European Parliament to fulfil at least 20% of its total
energy needs with renewables by 2020. This alone is also a driver of
economic growth, the creation of jobs and reinforces energy security
across Europe.

In the first six months of 2016, Europe fully grid connected 114
commercial offshore wind turbines with a combined capacity totalling
511 MW. Overall 13 commercial wind farms were under
construction which once completed will have a total capacity of over
4.2 GW.

 114 wind turbines were fully grid connected, totalling
511 MW in 4 wind farms: Westermeerwind (NL),
Gemini (NL), Gode Wind I (DE), Gode Wind II (DE).

 182 turbines (44 units or 32% more than during the
same period last year) were erected in four wind farms
in the first half of the year: Westermeerwind (NL),
Gemini (NL), Gode Wind I (DE), Gode Wind II (DE). Some
have been gridconnected, some have not.

 The average size of wind turbines installed in the first
half of 2016 is 4.8MW, or 15% larger than over the same
period last year.

 Seven projects, worth €14bn, reached Final Investment
Decision (FID) in the first half of 2016. This will finance
3.7 GW of new capacity, a doubling from the first half of
2015 (1.8 GW).

3

The Marine Renewable Energy sector will bring major benefits to Europe including energy security, carbon
reduction. The investment in these technologies and the support required across the supply chain will
have and significant economic impact across Europe. The Winds and Tides project provides an insight
into for those considering a career in the sector and provide useful support to allow them to realise their ambition.

1. Project management Oil and gas companies are already offering skills in managing complex projects offshore

2. Array cables Their manufacture requires similar skills and equipment to oil and gas umbilical manufacture

3. Substations structures These are typically one-off designs on a similar scale to oil and gas platforms

4. Turbine foundations Fabrication skills from oil and gas can be harnessed to produce serially manufactured structures
5. Secondary steelwork
6. Cable installation This is an accessible market for companies without the capacity for foundation manufacture and
7. Installation equipment entry may not need new coastal facilities
8. Installation support services
Most experienced contractors have not only oil and gas experience but learned that the complexity
of offshore wind contracts presents significant new challenges

The transition from oil and gas equipment supply has been made by a significant number of
companies, for example in pile and cable handling equipment and trenching and burial tools

The experience of working offshore can bring real benefits to offshore wind not only in subsea
services such as diving and ROV services but also in onshore activities such as marine consultancy

9. Maintenance and inspection services Oil and gas experience of offshore logistics can shape evolving strategies in offshore wind

4

Applying for work in
any sector requires a
combination of
research, tenacity
and patience

a basic understanding of upcoming JOB HUNTING
developments/roles within the
TIPS
industry will equip you to ‘talk shop’
with hiring managers & anticipate Handle each opportunity
individually
upcoming recruitment needs.

Websites - develop your knowledge Record company information, Avoid sending your CV and a
of an industry. contact details, news, projects and generic cover letter to every

Social Media –follow developments communication. employer in the industry
and tracking new opportunities. This will allow you to accurately
LinkedIn - research how other track opportunities as they arise and Whatever the process is –
people entered the sector. follow it
allow you to track all of your
There is one universal rule for interactions with the company in If they don’t accept
writing a good covering letter. speculative CVs then ask
Always write a new one every time question. them where they advertise
and make it specific to the role &
employer that you are applying to. Your network is bigger than you vacancies
think it is – family, friends,
State your most appropriate skills AND REMEMBER
and experience in your opening line. neighbours, co-workers, colleagues,
List work history & qualifications in social media networks and even Remain patient!
casual acquaintances.
reverse chronological order.
Mention hobbies and interest 80% Make sure your skills and qualifications
are clearly and easily
relevant to the job. of available jobs are never understood.
advertised,
CV & European Skills Passport
instead recruiters rely on
networking. http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

5

National Qualifications Authority is the Commission
nationale de la certification professionnelle
(CNCP)
www.cncp.gouv.fr/en/commission

National Qualifications Authority is Scottish Baccalauréat Professionnel (BAC Pro)
Qualifications Authority (SQA) – 3 year program
www.sqa.org.uk/  Vocational secondary schools (lycées)/

National Certificate (NC) Apprenticeship training centres (CFA)
– 1 year program
 Aimed at 16-18 year olds or  Students alternating training and periods in

adults in full-time education companies (Ages16-18)

 designed to prepare people  Continue studies with a Higher National

for employment, career Diploma - Brevet de Technicien Supérieur
development or progression (BTS)
to more advanced study at
HNC/HND level and develop Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)
a range of transferable (120 ECTS credits). – 2 year program
knowledge including Core  Upper technical sections (STS) of vocational
Skills.
secondary schools (lycée) /Vocational training
Higher National centres
Certificate (HNC) – 1 year
program  Programs combine academic and vocational
 Further Education College
 provide both the practical training in cooperation with businesses

skills needed to do a job and National Qualifications Authority is
the theoretical knowledge UDIR (The Norwegian Directorate
employers will expect for Education and Training)
www.udir.no/in-english/
Higher National Diploma
(HND) – 2 year program TAF (Technical General Subjects) – 4 year
 Further Education College program
 provide both the practical  Upper Secondary School (Ages 16-19)
 Vocational education path comprises of two years in
skills needed to do a job and
the theoretical knowledge school (VG1 and VG2) and two years of apprenticeship
employers will expect in a company.

6 Upper Secondary School IVET (Initial
vocational education) (Vidaregåande skule):
Vg 1 and Vg2 (in some few cases also Vg 3):
 2 year programme followed by two years as apprentice in

an enterprise

 Some pupils skip the apprenticeship and choose a

general studies program the third year (Vg 3)

 VET-learners gain a craft or journeyman’s certificate and

start a professional career.

Crosscutting Module

As part of this project the partners developed an e-learning module to give an overview of

the Marine Renewable Energy Sector. This module can be accessed online at:
https://windsandtides.com/intellectual-outputs/io2-crosscutting-module/

The module comprises of the following units:

1. Energy Challenges – A key issue for the 21st Century
Find out more about the history of energy, sources, water cycle, greenhouse effect and
the social and political aspects of energy production.

2. Energy – Transformation and Transportation
Learn about making electricity, how electricity moves through to the Grid and how wind
turbines generate electricity.

3. Offshore Windfarm Engineer Job Specificities:

 Sea Environment
See a day in the life of a wind turbine engineer and how they deal with working in
the sea environment.

 Risk Management
Risks associated with marine renewables energy and how these are dealt with
including blade repair and inspection.

 Maintenance and Profitability
Look at the current electricity market and maintenance strategies and constraints
adopted by marine renewable energy companies.

A database was developed that maps current job roles within the sector to competencies
required by the industry and qualifications currently available in France, Scotland and Norway
this can be found at:
https://windsandtides.com/intellectual-outputs/io1-mapping-of-curricula/result-of-mapping/

Newly Developed Marine Renewable Energy Qualifications 7

Following analysis of the current training provision available across the three nations key gaps
were identified in the training. New on-line learning modules have therefore been developed
with specific tools to facilitate work based learning. These on-line modules could be used for
new entrants into the sector as well as to upskill existing staff.
The modules can be accessed online at: https://windsandtides.com/intellectual-outputs/io3-
customization-modules-for-the-mres/
The three units are:

 Project Management
 Blade Repair and Maintenance
 Safety at Sea and Weather

 Wind is an important and growing part of Europe’s industrial base.

 The sector represents over 300,000 jobs and generates €72 billion in annual
turnover.

 The European industry has a 40% share of all wind turbines sold globally.

 Wind energy provides the lion’s share of Europe’s €35 billion renewables exports.

 European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has pledged to make the
EU number one in renewables.

The sector represents  Wind energy is a reliable and
over 300,000 jobs and affordable energy source which
generates €72 billion benefits European electricity
in annual turnover. consumers. It also makes an
important contribution to energy
security.

 Wind energy already meets 11%
of the EU’s power demand with
high penetration levels in several
countries.

 The industry is already the most
competitive source of new power
generation

 Offshore wind is on a steady cost
reduction pathway with expected
costs of €100/MWh by 2020.

 The sector brings clean and
secure power to emerging and
developing economies.

The industry is already

the most competitive

source of new power

generation.

8

 Wind is set to be the backbone of the future power system. It should meet a quarter of Europe’s power
demand by 2030.

 Both onshore and offshore wind are key to the EU’s long term decarbonisation, energy security and
competitiveness objectives.

 Wind energy can provide grid support services contributing to the secure and cost-effective
management of the power system.

 Turbines for low wind speeds and efforts towards digitisation are important developments which help
address variability and maximise wind power’s contribution to the energy system.

 Implementing ambitious post-2020 renewables policies will generate net benefits for the EU economy.

 Wave and tidal power could bring major benefits to Europe Wind is set to be the
including energy security, Carbon reduction and economic. backbone of the future
power system. It should
 Europe has large wave and tidal resource as a re a result
of the exposure to Atlantic winds and the existence of a meet a quarter of
number of headlands and islands, which concentrate tidal Europe’s power demand
flows.
by 2030.
 Although the potential resource is large, it may be years or
even decades before the technology is sufficiently 9
advanced to be able to harness significant levels of this
energy economically.

 Marine renewables could benefit energy security by
reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

 Tidal stream has the additional benefit of providing a
predictable output that is not dependent on the weather.

 Wave power is less variable from hour-to-hour than wind
energy and can be forecast several days in advance.

 There is a good match between the availability of wave
energy and seasonal electricity demand.

 Wave and tidal stream are renewable forms of energy and
therefore could make a significant contribution towards the
UK’s long term climate change objectives.

 The establishment of a new marine energy industry could
bring economic benefits with estimates that the global
market for marine could be worth £340 billion (in 2050).

As part of the Erasmus+ Energy Skills Partnership worked with partners to arrange a tour of the energy
project: Winds and Tides sector across Scotland, a series of industry visits to key companies involved in
a group of 12 students the generation, transmission and distribution of renewable energy across
studying Technical and Scotland as well as supply chain and globally significant research and development
Industrial Production companies.
and Automation at
Knarvik Upper The group started their two week tour in
Secondary School in Edinburgh with a visit to Flowave’s Ocean
Norway took part in a Energy Research Facility. Then headed
study visit to Scotland North to Perth, home of SSE’s
from 11th to 24th headquarters, where the students visited
September 2016. their state of the art training facility and
Accompanied by three were given an insight into the history of
teaching staff from the hydro-electric power in Scotland.
school the group visited
a range of facilities Prior to taking the ferry across to Orkney
across Scotland giving the students were given a tour of the
them an insight into the facilities at North Highland College UHI and
renewables energy Scrabster harbour, located at the entrance
sector in Scotland.
of the Pentland Firth, one of the most

concentrated tidal resources on earth.

A visit to the European Marine Energy Centre was followed by a tour of Orkney
College UHI‘s Marine and Maritime studies department and a rowing tour of the historic
Stromness harbour.

After a 7 hour hike up Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis the group travelled South
via the Underwater Centre in Fort William a training centre for commercial divers and
ROV pilots. Then CSWind UK to see the fabrication process of towers for both the
onshore and offshore wind energy market.

The students even allowed time for studies on their tour and completed a one day
‘Introduction to Blade Repair and Maintenance’ course at Ayrshire College. A visit to the
UK’s largest on-shore windfarm, Whitelee Wind Farm, was followed by a visit to
Glasgow Science Centre’s Powering the Future interactive Exhibition.

On the final day of the tour of Scotland the group headed back to Edinburgh stopping at
Babcock International based at Rosyth dockyard. The students then had a received
some basic training in working at heights at Mines Rescue before heading home back
to Norway on Saturday, enthused and inspired.

To see the students blog on the visit please visit:

https://wtvisitscotland.wordpress.com/

10

As part of the Erasmus GIP FCIP de l’académie de Caen worked with partners to arrange a two-week
+ project Winds and tour of the energy sector and maritime activities across Normandy, a series of
Tides, a group of 11 industry visits to companies, working sites, training centres and
students attending universities involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of energy and
Multidisciplinary maritime environment across Normandy.
Engineering Technician
course at Fife College The group started their two-week visit at the Maritime school of Cherbourg with a
in Scotland, took part safety at sea workshop. Then, they visited the EDF 3rd generation nuclear plant in
in a study visit to Flamanville and Cherbourg harbour that hosts the industries and activities related to
France from 6th to 19th marine renewables.
November 2016.
Accompanied by four Students visited the Energies Pavillion in Saint Lô, an eco-building showcasing green
teachers the group and blue energies and had an insight of hydrogen energy, followed by a visit to La
visited a range of Manche local authority hydrogen power station.
facilities across
Normandy giving them The group attended a course on the performance of a wind turbine with French
an insight into the students and teachers of Caen technical university, followed by a 3D workshop
energy and maritime organised by NOVIMAGE where students were given the opportunity to handle 3D
sector in Normandy. devices for the training of professionals of marine renewables.

A visit of Fécamp engineering college facilities and wind turbine workshops was
organised, followed by course on wind turbine maintenance where the students were
given the opportunity to exchange with French students.

Then the group visited Le Havre thermal power station and La Rance tidal power
station, near Le Mont Saint Michel.

Students visited the Regional Operational Centre for Monitoring and Rescue, CROSS
de Jobourg that is in charge of maritime security, search and rescue and monitoring of
sea activities of the Channel. Then they visited OpenHydro, a technology business,

belonging to DCNS, that designs and manufactures marine turbines to
generate renewable energy from tidal streams.

The group was given a presentation from EDF Renewables HR
manager in charge of Courseulles off-shore wind farm at Cherbourg
Engineering College and had the opportunity to discuss and
exchange with French teachers and students.

On the final day, the students visited the French National Marine Rescue
Company, SNSM de Goury, that is responsible for sea rescue operations
and had a meeting and discussion with the regional fishermen committee
on the impact of off-shore wind turbines on sea uses and users.

To see the students blog on the visit please visit:

https://wtvisitfrance.wordpress.com/

11

Two teachers and 12 Knarvik Upper Secondary school organised a two-week visit for the French
students from Normandy
visited Hordaland for group. The group stayed at a youth hostel in Bergen, and had day trips to different
two weeks. The students locations in the region of Hordaland.
came to learn more
about the renewable The first two days were spent in Knarvik. On the first day we were at the ,school
energy industry and getting to know the Norwegian students and doing team building activities. The
related industries in second day was a day outdoor exposing their fear of heights. Langset Rope Access
Hordaland. The French organised a 45 meter high rappel off a bridge in Knarvik. Wednesday was spent in
students got to Bergen with visits to Ocean Talent Camp and BIR Nett. Thursday and Friday included
experience elements of visits to three of the largest industrial sites: Mongstad, Rolls-Royce Engines Bergen
offshore wind operation, and Framo Services.
visited BBK Matre, the
largest hydropower The second week started with two long day trips. Monday we went to Midtfjellet wind
plant in Norway, and farm and Stordbase where Hywind turbines will be assembled. Tuesday we visited
also other industry in the BKK Matre, the largest hydropower station in Norway and took a ferry trip with
region like Rolls-Royce Ampere, the first large electrical car ferry in the world. Wednesday was a day in
Engines Bergen and Bergen, arranged by Redningsselskapet, showing the French group safety at
Framo Services. sea-activities, including a boat trip with a safety vessel. Thursday, Aanderaa Data
Instruments presented their sensors and monitoring systems. The final day was spent
in the Western islands visiting a coastal museum, a fish farm and an abandoned wave
power station. The final dinner was a sea food dinner at Knarvik school together with
students and staff of Knarvik.

To see the students’ blog on the visit, please visit:

https://wtvisitnorway.wordpress.com/

12

“ It was much better than expected really. I “Yes, when we learned about the wind
learned much more and had a whole lot turbines, how they work and the course
of fun! It was also much more topics that about fixing wind blades.” —
were covered than expected.” —
“ Professionally, this allowed me to discover the
operation of foreign companies and to see the
differences with that where I am on training for
example.” —

“bseiling from a To discover Scotland and learn about all the possibilities within
renewable energy” —
“A50m high
Our Erasmus group is like a big family, I had a very good
“bridge, simply because I time in Norway, such a good atmosphere!” -

would have never done

that in France, and I was

able to push my limits!” “ Without hesitation, the relations we have established with
— the Norwegian students is unforgettable!” —

“The industry must continue “I “ We learned that oil is not the only opportunity
its efforts to go green and I and there are many jobs in renewable energy.”
would be happy to be part — —
of this process.
learned how the wind turbines is
I’ve integrated this mobility into build, and how they work. I also
my CV as a professional activity learned much about Scotland.”
showing the positive effect that
this had on me. I’m sure this will 13
be an asset for my career
planning.”—

“Winds and Tides goes

global! Our project attended
important international events
and our results were presented
at COP21 in Paris

PARIS, NOVEMBER 30 —
DECEMBER 12, 2015

The COP21 conference held in Paris
marked a turning point in building the
low carbon economy. The energy
industries will no longer be able to carry
on as usual and will have to invest in
low carbon options such as wind and
marine to achieve a zero carbon
world. Therefore opportunities in this
sector will grow.

Paris Climate Agreement creates opportunities for renewables globally

14

Description provided in the
programme :

"Providing Europeans with
the right skills, fostering
talent, releasing potential and
preparing them for the job markets of the future is at the heart of Europe’s
2020 Strategy. This workshop will showcase best practice from across
Europe’s regions on how local and regional authorities are improving the skills
and employability of EU citizens. It will explore in particular how to match
future demand for specialised skills with innovative provision of education and
training, develop new and innovative skill-sets to improve the competitiveness
of the local workforce and consider how entrepreneurial ‘start-up skills’
can be embedded throughout education systems."

“In the heart of a leading territory for MRE,
Seanergy Normandy 2017 is the international trade
show specifically dedicated to MREs. Winds &
Tides is there with a stand : visitors have the
opportunity to test the training modules and
discover the videos students shot during their
Mobilities”

“European Maritime Day is the annual meeting point
for Europe’s maritime community to network, discuss
and forge joint action. The EMD 2017 conference and
exhibition will be held on 18-19 May 2017 in Poole.
GIP-FCIP’s proposal to organise a pitch presentation
of Winds & Tides has been selected for the People
and skills workshop.”

15

https://windsandtides.com/

Winds and tides project 2014-1-fr01-ka200-008451 has been funded with the support of the
European commission Erasmus plus programme.
This guidebook reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Photography courtesy of: EMEC, Areva Wind, Siemens, OPITO.
Design by Energy Skills Partnership.