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Lowestoft College training future energy workers | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The first drilling rigs descended on the Southern North Sea in search of gas in the 1960s, many of them manned by cigar-puffing Texans. | The first drilling rigs descended on the Southern North Sea in search of gas in the 1960s, many of them manned by cigar-puffing Texans. |
Nowadays gas from platforms like the £400m Babbage, 55 miles off the coast, flows to shore thanks to home-grown engineers. | Nowadays gas from platforms like the £400m Babbage, 55 miles off the coast, flows to shore thanks to home-grown engineers. |
But what of the future? How long will this gas boom last? | But what of the future? How long will this gas boom last? |
"The Babbage field which has come into production in 2010 has an expected feed life of 20 years," said Felix Lerch, vice president of E.ON Exploration and Production. | "The Babbage field which has come into production in 2010 has an expected feed life of 20 years," said Felix Lerch, vice president of E.ON Exploration and Production. |
"That gives you an indication of the duration of the gas industry in the southern gas basin." | "That gives you an indication of the duration of the gas industry in the southern gas basin." |
But while there's still gas to discover, finding the next generation of offshore workers is proving a little harder. | But while there's still gas to discover, finding the next generation of offshore workers is proving a little harder. |
On some platforms the average age is over 50. | On some platforms the average age is over 50. |
Many blame the decline in apprenticeships in the 1980s which led, they say, to a "lost generation" of young engineers. | Many blame the decline in apprenticeships in the 1980s which led, they say, to a "lost generation" of young engineers. |
At Lowestoft College's school of engineering they are trying to fill that vacuum. | At Lowestoft College's school of engineering they are trying to fill that vacuum. |
Last year they invested £600,000 in new tooling and equipment. | Last year they invested £600,000 in new tooling and equipment. |
Currently they teach 200 apprentices and up to 300 engineering students aged 16 to 20 years. | Currently they teach 200 apprentices and up to 300 engineering students aged 16 to 20 years. |
The college has also developed a course specifically aimed at helping youngsters get a start in the industry. | The college has also developed a course specifically aimed at helping youngsters get a start in the industry. |
"We've designed and run a course for four years now called the Energy Skills Foundation Project. | "We've designed and run a course for four years now called the Energy Skills Foundation Project. |
"It's sponsored by industry and the number of students that are getting jobs from that course is very high," explained Ferlin Quantrill, head of engineering. | "It's sponsored by industry and the number of students that are getting jobs from that course is very high," explained Ferlin Quantrill, head of engineering. |
Like many students, James Bane, 20, has family links to the offshore gas industry. | Like many students, James Bane, 20, has family links to the offshore gas industry. |
"Lots of my family work offshore, my dad does, my uncle does, my brother does. I've grown up with that around me," he said. | "Lots of my family work offshore, my dad does, my uncle does, my brother does. I've grown up with that around me," he said. |
Rory Besford, who comes from Lowestoft and has a similar background, said: "Both my parents used to go offshore so that drew me into it. | Rory Besford, who comes from Lowestoft and has a similar background, said: "Both my parents used to go offshore so that drew me into it. |
"The money was a big factor but I enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the people that work out there as well. It's everything about it really." | "The money was a big factor but I enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the people that work out there as well. It's everything about it really." |
But the offshore boom also means competition for high paying jobs is fierce. | But the offshore boom also means competition for high paying jobs is fierce. |
Welding student Keeley Beresford is in her second year at Lowestoft College. | Welding student Keeley Beresford is in her second year at Lowestoft College. |
Last year she was engineering student of the year, but she is struggled to find an apprenticeship. | Last year she was engineering student of the year, but she is struggled to find an apprenticeship. |
"I've applied in Birmingham, all over really because I don't mind moving away," she explained. | "I've applied in Birmingham, all over really because I don't mind moving away," she explained. |
"I'd move away to go to college somewhere else if I had to, as long as I'm in there. I want to go offshore because it's a great experience. | "I'd move away to go to college somewhere else if I had to, as long as I'm in there. I want to go offshore because it's a great experience. |
But of course the money too is attractive. She added: "It would be great, I'd be able to come home and shop." | But of course the money too is attractive. She added: "It would be great, I'd be able to come home and shop." |
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