Pipe up: Andy Holyland

“We are identifying and assisting in the development of the next generation of degree-qualified students”

In January, the government published its green paper, Building Our Industrial Strategy. It includes investing in science, research and innovation; developing skills; upgrading infrastructure and supporting startup businesses.

The East of England Energy Zone has a unique mix of wind power, gas and nuclear energy production. The supply chain has 50 years of experience and expertise, recognised in its Enterprise Zone status.

Norfolk and Suffolk’s all-energy coast is at the centre of the world’s largest market for offshore wind, worth £994 million a year. Capital investment of £50 billion is planned by 2020, with the world’s largest wind farm in development off the coast and the proposed development of Sizewell C nuclear power station creating 26,000 jobs.

3sun Academy is a supplier of training and equipment, primarily supporting 3sun Group’s activities in its oil and gas and renewable wind activities, but also working with other energy and utility businesses to train, upskill and assess the competence of current and new workforces.

It specialises in working at height and access training, technical skills and competence assessments, plant and equipment training as well as vocational on-site assessment and verification services.

Trainers from original equipment manufacturers and specific accreditations such as those from the British Fluid Power Association, Lifting Equipment Engineers Association, Engineering Construction Industry training Board, Industrial Rope Access Trade Association and the Global Wind Organisation put 3sun Academy in a strong position to meet growing demands from industry, and ensure we have a productive, competent and safe workforce.

Relationships have been forged with the University of East Anglia to ensure we are involved in identifying and assisting in the development of the next generation of degree-qualified engineering and energy engineering students. In partnership with Great Yarmouth College (East Coast College), we have designed, set up and implemented a pre-apprenticeship programme.

Now the Apprenticeship Levy has been introduced, having these strong links enables us to seize the opportunity to meet the government’s apprenticeship target.

But also, through realistic, industry-specific training and competence assessments, it will allow qualification standards and industry requirements to come together and up-skill those leaving education for work to be as ready as they can be without employment experience.