A new partnership between SeAH Wind and Hartlepool College of Further Education will create a pathway for young people on Teesside to launch a career in the UK’s fast-growing alternative energy sector.

The opportunity to work and develop at SeAH Wind’s new giant Teesside site is available for those who enrol on Hartlepool College’s fabrication and welding course in September.

SeAH Wind are initially looking to take on 14 apprentices (eight welders, four platers, a mechanical fitter and an electrician), as part of their recruitment strategy.

Stay informed and up to date with a digital subscription to The Northern Echo. 

A number of those studying on the full-time course from September will initially be offered a 12-week scholarship, including a weekly bursary allowance.

Following completion of the initial 12-week scholarship, the apprentices will be offered formal apprenticeships with the South Korean-owned business, who are building the world’s largest bespoke monopile factory in Middlesbrough.

Matthew Hart, SeAH Wind’s Human Resources Manager, said: “Here at SeAH Wind, we see the development of local young people as a crucial element of our recruitment strategy.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hartlepool College of Further Education to create opportunities for local people to gain a skilled career within our organisation.

“Traditionally fabrication and welding has been male- dominated, and we would like our apprenticeship programme to break that mould – therefore we will be working with Hartlepool College of Further Education to attract a diverse cohort of apprentices.

“From the moment we first met with the management team at the College, and visited their excellent facilities, we knew that this was the place to develop our apprenticeship programme.”

SeAH Wind’s giant £450m Teesside Freeport site will be the largest of its kind in the world when completed, at more than 800m in length and more than 40m high.

It will offer 1.13m sq ft of high-quality factory space for the production of XXXL Monopiles which will be up to 150m in length, 15.5m in diameter and weighing over 3,000 tons.

Monopiles are the foundations for offshore wind turbines and are a key component in the offshore wind industry.

The 90-acre site forms part of the UK’s fast-growing alternative energy sector and sees the creation of 1,500 supply chain and construction jobs, along with a further 750 roles when the site is fully operational.

Gary Riches, Hartlepool College’s Assistant Principal, said: “We are delighted to have earned the right to work with SeAH Wind, we have exceptional staff at the College who have incredibly high expectations of our learners and go above and beyond to ensure they are given the right knowledge, skills and qualifications to allow them to progress into the world of work.

Read next:

Jobs plan from Durham County Council, Livin, believe and Karbon

Dozens of jobs with Durham family business's  £10m expansion

Appointments: A round-up of key moves at leading North East businesses

“This provides an opportunity for full-time learners to put themselves in front of an international organisation.

“Those deemed to have the work ethic that aligns to SeAH Wind’s values will be firm favourites to secure one of the apprenticeship vacancies. It is exciting for all involved.”

Anyone interested in securing a place on the SeAH Wind scholarship programme should email a CV and cover letter to seahscholarship@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk