As the offshore wind industry continues to expand, it is thought about 50,000 skilled workers will be needed to meet demand over the next decade. At North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe, more than 100 apprentices from around the UK are gearing up for a future career at sea.
Daisy Rendall, 19, has travelled from Aberdeen to study after seeing her own family work in the oil and gas industry. She says she thinks renewable energy offers “better prospects” for the future.
“I started thinking about a job that will see me to the end of my career and it’s pretty clear that oil and gas won’t do this,” she says.
For others, working offshore has been a “childhood dream”. Alfie Bone, 17, joined the course after relocating from Newcastle.
“I used to see them [the turbines] when I was walking along the coast up in the North East and I have always wanted to work on them,” he says.
“I think it’s going to be very enjoyable.”