WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

SKILLS GAPLowestoftCollegefacilitiesunderspotlightLowestoft College’s engineering andmaritime facilities were under thespotlight recently when Skills MinisterMatthew Hancock had a tour of thespecialist facilities.Matthew Hancock, Skills Minister, with Waveney MP PeterAldous in the Lowestoft College training tankMatthew Hancock, Skills Minister, atLowestoft College’s Ship’s Bridge SimulatorMatthew Hancock with apprentices/studentsWhistle-stop tourMr Hancock had a whistle-stop tour ofsome of the College’s facilities includingthe 18 metre wind turbine tower whichwas installed just over a year ago to trainworkers in the wind farm industry. He alsowatched Uniformed Services studentsbeing put through their paces with anemergency evacuation drill in the TrainingTank before being wowed by just howrealistic the Ships’ Bridge Simulator was.ApprenticesMr Hancock also spoke with EngineeringApprentices and watched them at work inthe recently upgraded workshop which nowboasts state-of-the-art training facilities.There was also time to meet travel andtourism students and answer their questions.Gaining an insightSimon Summers, Principal at LowestoftCollege, said: “We were very pleased thatSkills Minister Matthew Hancock spenttime with us and was able to see whatLowestoft College offers. By talking toapprentices and students he was ableto gain a good insight in to the issuesfacing them and see just how committedthey are to their studies. The visit wasalso an excellent opportunity for us toshowcase the range of courses we offerincluding those which support the keylocal industries of Maritime, Offshore andEnergy.”The Minister was joined by Waveney MPPeter Aldous and Leader of Suffolk CountyCouncil, Cllr Mark Bee.Lowestoft Collegewww.lowestoft.ac.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk15