Teachers have been given an insight into the jobs available within the local wind turbine sector to help inspire young people into the industry.
RWE Innogy (RWE) which has a base in Llanidloes and operates wind farms in the area, is running a partnership with local schools to encourage young people into engineering roles.
The visit to RWE Innogy UK’s Llanidloes Wind Turbine Service Centre and Carno Wind Farm, was arranged in conjunction with Careers Wales and included teachers from Welshpool and Llanidloes High Schools.
During the day, the teachers were given an overview of the work undertaken at the Wind Turbine Service Centre, and on-site at one of the wind farms that RWE operates.
The teachers were also shown the detailed mechanical workings of the turbines themselves, and had the chance to explore how this knowledge could make future educational visits by local schools and colleges more targeted and worthwhile in the future.
The visit follows the completion of the ‘Assisting Young People in Work’ inquiry by the National Assembly’s Enterprise and Business Committee, which concluded that young people need greater support as they enter the work place.
RWE Innogy launched its innovative apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai in 2012, and was fully supported at the official opening by First Minister Carwyn Jones AM.
“It is hoped that some of those taking part in future site visits will be inspired to apply to join the growing number of local youngsters currently following a career pathway within the company,” said a company spokesperson.
Current apprentices include Ross Kenyon from Aberhafesp, who was recently crowned Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious renewables industry awards organised by Renewables UK.
He is joined by Thomas Woodward , a 21-year-old from Newtown who was named Foundation Apprentice of the Year at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014.
Mike Davies, Senior Operations Engineer at RWE’s Llanidloes Wind Turbine Service Centre: “Renewable energy is becoming a key economic driver in the area and we need the future generation of budding engineers to be inspired and equipped with the right skills to be able to drive this change towards a stronger, greener and more sustainable future.
“As a local boy who’s worked with the industry for over 19 years, it’s fantastic to see young people from the area being given valuable work experience, , and some may even go on to become RWE apprentices of the future.
"We sincerely hope that by sharing our expertise and building closer working relationships with schools and colleges, we can help inspire youngsters to find the careers that are right for them - in whichever field they choose.”
