Ayrshire College has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Franchise Agreement with Energy Innovation, strengthening collaboration on skills, training and education to support the continued growth of the offshore wind sector in Scotland, the UK and internationally. The partnership will focus on developing high-quality training pathways for wind technicians, including Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accredited training, technician education and wider competence development. It will strengthen links between industry requirements and curriculum-based provision, supporting workforce readiness across offshore and onshore wind.

This collaboration aligns directly with Action 4 of Scotland’s Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan, published by the Scottish Government, which highlights the importance of expanding national training capacity for priority roles and enhancing collaboration between industry and the education sector. Ayrshire College and Energy Innovation are named within the Action Plan as partners in addressing these priorities.  As part of the partnership, the organisations will establish the Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC) based at Ayrshire College with initial training delivery through the partnership anticipated from quarter 2 in 2026.

The announcement coincides with the Scottish Offshore Wind Conference, underscoring the importance of joined-up action between government, industry and education in ensuring Scotland has a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of supporting the energy transition and delivering long-term economic benefit. 

Energy Secretary, Gillian Martin said: 

“The expansion of offshore wind represents a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to create more high‑quality jobs that drive growth, foster innovation and generate wealth.
 “Scotland’s Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan, developed with industry and key public sector partners, sets out initial actions being taken over the next two years in support of the pipeline of skilled workers which will be needed by the offshore wind sector.
 “I am delighted to see this international collaboration between Ayrshire College and Energy Innovation. Partnerships like this are vital to aligning industry demand with training provision.”

 Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College, said:

 “Building on Ayrshire College’s established expertise in onshore wind turbine training, we are proud to take a leading role in supporting the development of the skills Scotland needs to deliver its clean energy ambitions. By aligning education with industry demand, we are helping to enable a strong, resilient workforce that will allow the clean energy sector to grow and thrive.”

Frank Emil Moen, CEO and Managing Partner at Energy Innovation, said:

 “Offshore wind is scaling fast, and the industry needs people who are not only qualified, but truly job-ready, with the right safety mindset, technical capability and practical competence. Our partnership with Ayrshire College combines strong vocational education with deep industry alignment and international experience. Together, we will develop high-quality training pathways that meet real workforce needs, reflect recognised standards, and help technicians progress confidently from training into operational roles.”
 “This collaboration reflects the strong alignment between Norway and Scotland in offshore wind and energy transition, and we look forward to working together to develop capacity and capability for the years ahead.”