RWE recruits biggest ever cohort of wind turbine apprentices

The group of 16 will study at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's recently opened engineering site in Rhyl, bringing the total number of starters since the course began in 2012 to more than 100.

The apprentices will work on a number of offshore wind farms around the UK, including Rhyl Flats and the in-development Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the north Wales coast.

Tudur Evans, of Corwen (Image: RWE)

Three individuals have also been recruited for the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, currently under construction 195km from the coast of North East England.

RWE's offshore operations training specialist, Luke Skeffington, said: "Now is a fantastic time for this group to be starting what will be a long and rewarding career in the renewable energy industry.

"Alongside their training underway at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, they will also get real-world experience at our operational wind farms around the UK."

Noah Carey, one of the three recruited to work on Rhyl Flats, said: "I’m looking forward to getting hands-on with the equipment, getting out there and progressing.

"I did a power engineering course last year, after some work experience with RWE where I was lucky to go offshore from the Port of Mostyn and see the turbines themselves up close."

Noah Carey, of Llandudno (Image: RWE) Tudur Evans, who comes from Corwen in Denbighshire, is also set to work on Rhyl Flats.

He said: "Before this, I spent four years working as a mechanic on tractors and motorbikes, but this offers something on a completely different scale with a real opportunity to progress.

"My father has worked in renewables for the last decade and has always told me how good a career it’s been.

"With the new projects being developed with cutting-edge technology, it’s a growing industry and it’s right here in north Wales."

Paul Flanagan, principal of Coleg Llandrillo, said: "RWE has been a valued partner of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai for over a decade, and we are proud to celebrate this significant milestone of over 100 apprentices receiving outstanding education and training through our collaboration.

"The success of this programme not only reflects the quality of education provided at our state-of-the-art Rhyl Engineering Centre but also highlights the college's vital role in equipping apprentices with the essential skills needed to excel in a high-demand sector."

The Rhyl Engineering Centre is a state-of-the-art, three-floor facility spanning 3000m², featuring a comprehensive range of highly specialised training equipment valued at over £2 million.