The programme is being delivered at Aurora’s Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness and designed to convert military service leavers into immediately deployable personnel for onshore and offshore wind projects. Two participants have already found jobs in the industry.
The seven-week pilot programme aligns with broader efforts from government and industry bodies to support workforce transition, and was jointly funded by the Ministry of Defence and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), which played a key role in shaping the course standards.
Participants are selected from service leavers with an existing Level 3 engineering background—mechanical, electrical or instrumentation—ensuring they already have a technical foundation that can be built upon.
Andy Elrod, director of training at Aurora Energy Services, said: “The qualities service leavers bring—discipline, attention to detail, safety awareness, technical competence and the ability to perform in demanding environments—are exactly what the wind industry needs.
“Applicants completing the course will be site-ready so they can go out and be gainfully employed in roles including pre-assembly construction and operations and maintenance.”
Participants will attain industry-recognised qualifications, including Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training, advanced rescue and safety certifications, and ECITB-accredited competencies, alongside additional modules covering wind turbine safety rules and technical theory.
The programme includes a defined employment pathway with each successful participant guaranteed an job interview with Aurora and other companies from a growing network of partners.
Declan Paterson, 33, originally from Kilmarnock, served 13 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corp (REME) as a recovery mechanic and this week started as a lifting technician at Aurora.
He said: “My background is recovery and cranes and that was always something I was looking for. It was my boss who told me about the course and I thought that might suit me.
“The quality of the training shone through during the course. There was not a single lesson that was poor and the fact that you gain five or six qualifications was an important factor. I’ve had my fair share of nights in the desert and now I am looking forward to getting started in my new career.”
Jason McLaughin, who also completed the course, said: “As someone transitioning from a 20+ year career in the military, one of the biggest challenges I found entering the wind industry was simply getting in front of employers.
“Being part of Aurora’s Military to Wind programme has completely changed that. It’s not just training – it provides direct access to employers and guaranteed interview opportunities, which is something that’s very difficult to achieve as a new entrant.”
Got a story? Email [email protected]
