A TEES Valley training firm specialising in work with high voltage appliances has secured a contract with one of Britain's top five energy suppliers to ensure its staff can work safely on wind turbines.

The UK's first electrics training course for high voltage wind turbine work, introduced by The Faraday Centre (TFC), comes as the North-East aims to position itself as a hub for all aspects of the fast growing industry.

The contract secured by the Middlesbrough based firm, which works with some of the UK's leading companies and operators, will see it training the technical team of the unnamed energy firm.

TFC is also reviewing and auditing the firms wind farm site procedures to maximise safety for all personnel.

As the industry develops TFC is also hopeful of securing work from smaller firms looking to transfer their electrical expertise to the growing wind sector.

Suhail Mitoubsi, group general manager for TFC, said: "As the renewable energy sector continues to grow apace, particularly across North East England, we recognised a real market demand for electrical high voltage training designed specifically for this burgeoning industry.

"We developed the training course, which is unique to the region and also to the UK.

"We are currently developing a programme for a leading global energy provider and believe the course will appeal to large organisations, as well as individuals wishing to diversify and enhance their skill-set."

The Middlesbrough based firm, established in 1991, provides both low and high voltage safety training to a variety of sectors, including companies working in energy, offshore, manufacturing and processing industries.

The latest move comes as the region positions itself at the forefront of all aspects of the wind turbine industry.

Hartlepool firm JDR Cables is a world leader in producing cables, TAG Energy Solutions is building a plant manufacturing offshore wind turbine foundations, near Stockton, with Tata Steel planning a similar facility in Redcar, Clipper Windpower is developing the world's largest turbine blade at a 25m plant near Newcastle, and Europe's leading wind turbine testing factory is at the New and Renewable Energy Centre, in Northumberland.

In addition The Tekmar Group, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, produces cable protection devices for offshore wind turbines.