SeAH Wind
With the development of SeAH Wind’s state-of-the-art monopile factory at Teesworks, there has been a growing demand for specialist welding skills to support the offshore wind sector. To ensure local people could take advantage of these opportunities, tailored training was needed to match the industry’s exacting standards.
The Solution
Through funding from the Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamps, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority partnered with Stockton-based Nordic Training. They delivered an intensive 24-week full-time welding programme to 24 local trainees – equipping them with specialist welding and rigorous health and safety training tailored to SeAH Wind’s world-class standards.
Results & Impact
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Trainee outcomes: 13 of the cohort had been unemployed, and trainees came from diverse backgrounds including a chef, pub manager, carpet fitter, and taxi driver.
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Career transformations: Mohammed Saleem Butt, 51, explained it had been a complete career change. He added: “During the training I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s given me the opportunity to have a career in my local area and also see how far I can go and push myself. Lydia Chandler, 26, said: “I’m enjoying bettering myself and learning different things. Every day you learn something new and I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can go in the future. This training is giving me the chance to be settled in a career and work in that area for the rest of my life, so it has been great. This is what I want to do.”
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Industry benefits: All trainees progressed to full-time roles at SeAH Wind, supporting up to 750 planned jobs when the monopile manufacturing facility is complete and strengthening the region’s offshore wind capability.
‘Bespoke Service’
Mark Roddy, Nordic Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be delivering this training which is a fantastic example of how Nordic can deliver a bespoke service which provides lifelong opportunities which also enhances productivity. This programme across the 24 learners has incorporated more than 18,000 hours of training, providing a great opportunity for the trainees to learn and enhance their skills and drive forward their career.”
Matthew Hart, HR Manager at SeAH Wind, added: “We are delighted to welcome this group of trainees from Nordic into SeAH Wind. I am proud of each and everyone of the trainee welders they have shown hard work and dedication throughout and have impressed us all. The trainees had no or limited welding experience before starting at Nordic; now, they are suitably qualified and will begin the next stages of their development at SeAH Wind.
“We want to thank the TVCA for their backing with the funding and Nordic for carrying out the training and supporting the trainees throughout the course.”
Looking Ahead
The success of this first cohort underscores the value of future-focused skills investment. With Tees Valley’s renewable energy sector expanding, the Combined Authority is committed to such training programmes – combining targeted funding, industry collaboration, and high-quality delivery to generate local opportunities and support economic growth. Skills Bootcamps are funded by the Department for Education, as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
