From Military Service to OPS Wind Turbine Technician

Meet Mosese, he is just one example of the many ex-service personnel who have successfully transitioned from serving his country to saving the world – quite literally.

On Thursday, April 7th, 2022, I walked into Catterick Leisure Centre with a purposeful stride, eager to participate in the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) Career Fair. This significant step came merely a month after I submitted my Notice to Terminate from the Army. I entered the event with a resolute mindset, armed with a clear perspective on the direction I needed to embark upon for my new career venture. The anticipation and determination filled the air as I navigated through the venue, ready to explore the myriad of opportunities that awaited me in the civilian world.

As I entered into the room, my attention was immediately drawn to a vibrant, bright green-coloured stand adorned with decorations. Positioned there were two seasoned gentlemen, and as I engaged in a lengthy conversation with them, it became apparent that they possessed a profound understanding of the journey I was about to embark on. Having navigated similar paths themselves, they shared their experiences of providing full services to the RAF for Rick Ward (OPS-Wind Resource Planning Manager) and the Army for Gary Paterson (OPS-Training Centre Manager).

After a lengthy discussion I could see that employment within the renewables sector and predominantly the Wind Sector was the direction I wanted to embark on. What could be better earning a living whilst doing our upmost to help the environment.

Despite the lack of a guaranteed job upon completion of the required Global Wind Organisation or GWO certificates required to work on Wind Turbines. I made the resolute decision to book myself onto their ELCAS funded Level 3 Safe Working Practice in the Wind Turbine Industry package that would on completion award me with the relevant GWO certification required to work on the Turbines.  I maintained close contact with the two veterans who had generously shared their insights with me.

Fast forward 11 months, and I find myself having signed a full-time contract with OPS Wind.  My kit and personal protective equipment (PPE) are securely in my possession, all the necessary authorization paperwork has been completed, and I’ve successfully undergone the prerequisite training. The boarding manifest has arrived, and the company’s hired car awaits outside. With my bags packed, I am poised to hit the road. The only task left on my agenda is to enjoy my last night at home with my family.

Montrose Port beckons as the departure point, where I will board the Acta Centaurus, a Service Operations Vessel that will be my home for the next two weeks. Assigned to work alongside the Commissioning Team at the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, I am ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

He is not alone in realizing this opportunity; do you have what it takes?

For careers advice and guidance, sourcing of employment opportunities and funding for training, qualifications and equipment please click the link below to The Royal Marine Charity.

Home – RMA – The Royal Marines Charity (rma-trmc.org)

ONLINE – TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXTENSION

We are currently preparing an electronic process for our technicians to apply for an extended period of certification. As soon as this becomes available, we will notify you and place a notice on the IRATA website, with instructions for technicians to follow. This will be a temporary solution and shall only be in place whilst the COVID-19 containment actions prevent assessors and training member companies from operating on a normal basis. We will notify members as soon as it is determined that adequate access to IRATA training providers has resumed in specific jurisdictions.

TECHNICIAN UPGRADES

We are aware that some technicians planning to upgrade to a higher level of IRATA certification may also have expired through no fault of their own and we are putting measures in place to assist technicians who find themselves in this position.

OPS Directors Paul Jones and David Jones along with Non-executive director Stephen Blaike celebrated as OPS was crowned MMIA Business of the Year 2020 award winner.

Paul Jones said “This award is an incredible achievement for every single member of our team, and the directors would like to thank each person for their dedication and commitment to the OPS business. The award is a business award that speaks volumes about the company that we have built together”

The Mersey Maritime Business of the Year Award is open to businesses of any size, the award is made to a business that has demonstrated a real understanding of its target market and positioned or adapted itself, accordingly, showing impressive growth or growth potential and sustainability in terms of one or more of the following:

• Job creation
• Increased turnover
• Increased profitability
• Impact on their region

GWO Courses currently available at OPS Training:

GWO Blade Repair – approved and accepted by Siemens Gamesa Offshore Construction

GWO Basic Safety Training / GWO Basic Safety Refresher Training – Consisting of GWO working at height, GWO first aid, GWO sea survival, GWO manual handling, GWO fire awareness

GWO Advanced Rescue Training – GWO Combined Rescue, GWO hub, GWO Nacelle, GWO Single Rescuer Hub and/or Nacelle

GWO Enhanced First Aid

NEW GWO Slinger Signaller

For further information on all courses available at OPS Training call 0151 521 5929 or email Training@ops-wind.oc.uk

Keep up to date with all our news and offers by following us on Linkedin and Facebook.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/offshore-painting-services

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Course dates are now available for the following:

GWO ART Training

• GWO Advanced rescue – hub, spinner and inside blade – 1 day course
• GWO Advanced Rescue – Nacelle, Tower and Basement – 2 day course
• GWO Single Rescuer – Hub, Spinner and Inside Blade – 1/2 Day course
• GWO Single Rescuer – Nacelle, Tower and Basement – 1/2 Day course
• GWO Combined Rescues – Hub, Spinner, Inside Blade, Nacelle, Tower, Basement and both single rescuers – 3 day course
• GWO Advanced Rescue – Nacelle, Tower and Basement Refresher with Working at height Refresher  – 2 Day course

GWO Enhanced First Aid – This includes your GWO BST First Aid Certificate.

• GWO Enhanced First Aid – 3 Day course
• GWO Enhanced First Aid Refresher – 2 Day Course (In-date GWO first aid OR GWO Enhanced First Aid Certificate is required)

For information on any of the above courses just contact us on training@ops-wind.co.uk or to book just click the link https://www.oegtraining.com/product-category/training-courses/gwo/

OPS is proud to announce that our Wind Turbine Epoxy and Composite Blade Repair course has now been accredited by the prestigious Lloyds Register.

With some excellent feedback from our Auditor:

“The monitored delivery of training was of a high standard and the effectiveness of the training was regularly checked by the trainer to ensure the key learning points had been taken on by each delegate”  and  “The emphasis on safety was paramount…”

Lloyds Register is the worlds leading provider of independent assessment services including certification, validation, verification and training across a broad spectrum of standards and schemes with recognition from over 50 accreditation bodies.  Lloyds register is a global organisation working in more than 120 countries and are able to provide coordinated services worldwide for multi-national clients. Lloyds Register has been supporting renewable and offshore wind projects for more than two decades, with projects offshore UK, Germany, Denmark, Belgium.

OPS Training is proud to announce their latest accreditation,  ECITB Approved Provider.

OPS Training was lucky enough to be part of the workgroup working towards the ECITB Blade courses and after a lot of blood, sweat and tears can now offer this out to the public and our clients.

The two courses which are now available:

EPOXY AND COMPOSITE BLADE REPAIR – £1800 + vat

A full 10 days (7 days practical) will give technicians the skills, knowledge and competence to both repair, inspect and report on wind turbine blade damage. A section of this course also covers Epoxy awareness and glove penetration.  This is a very hands-on course with an 80% pass rate.

WT BLADE COMPOSITE AND EPOXY AWARENESS – £700 +vat

A 4-day course for those that work within the wind industry looking for an in-depth knowledge of blade repairs along with Epoxy awareness and glove penetration.  This course is ideal for site managers, HSE, Reps etc. and includes a basic repair practical element.

Our OPS Training office is currently taking bookings for both courses on 0151 521 5929 or training@ops-wind.co.uk

ISO Accreditation 9001:2015 and 14001:2015

The directors of OPS are proud to announce the Company has once again been successful in ISO accreditation and re-validation, this time against the new Standards of 9001:2015 and 14001:2015. Such an achievement was in association with Lloyd’s Register, who are UKAS approved auditors and have a world-renowned reputation for their services.

This means that our Quality and Environmental Management Systems, which were introduced in 2014, continue to meet and exceed the requirements of both Standards, providing all our interested parties with the confidence and reassurance of the OPS commitment to Quality, Safety and Satisfaction.

The winners were chosen from the shortlisted finalists at a prestigious dinner held in Liverpool’s Anfield football stadium.  The event was attended by over 100 guests from the business world of Mersey Maritime.

OPS are proud to be named the winner of the SME Business of the Year award 2018, the culmination of a successful year for the company in terms of completed offshore projects and a record number of training courses delivered to the renewable energy sector.

The Directors of OPS would like to thank the judges of Mersey Maritime and all those who contributed to this tremendous achievement.

Several months of planning, organising and construction have finally come to fruition as the team at OPS proudly launch their floating pontoon and climbing platform.

The platform is now firmly located in the centre of Crosby Lakeside Marina where it will play a vital role in the training and preparation for working out at sea, and which forms a part of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Certificate.

OPS Training are also proud to work in partnership with Crosby Lakeside Marina in this important part of its development; OPS Training are now able to offer all 5 modules of the GWO Basic Safety Training Certificate, either as a full package or as individual modules, as a complete in-house facility.

The platform will be operational from Monday 21 August; for further information and course details please visit our training course section or call us on 0151 521 5929