NEW BIRDFORD – Next spring, a one-time seafood company will set up classrooms, hurricane courses and deep pools to train coastal wind industry workers, who plan to deliver power to Massachusetts by 2023.
National overseas institute training institute in New Bedford, not yet built, offers hand safety training and classroom technical training. It is a partnership between Denmark-based Marsk Training College and Bristol Community College, which currently offers courses in marine engineering.
Wind turbine, deep water training
After the visit, Laura Douglas, president of Bristol Community College, said: Thursday with officials. Delegates will learn practical skills such as tuning the turbine, learning how to transport equipment, and even rescuing co-workers.
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U.S. Senator Edward Markke and U.S. representatives Bill Kating and Jack Achilles also visited the vacant venue at Herman Melville Boulevard with local officials and representatives of the wind companies.
According to Markke, “Herman Melville wrote the Moby Dick on a whale oil lamp and Massachusetts was the country’s leading energy producer. Again, the beaches of New Bedford begin the world’s energy revolution, this time with clean, renewable energy.
The institute will certify people who have previously worked in the industry or provide training to people with some education in the marine industry, said Joe Anne Bentley, vice president of administration and resources at the college. He said the workers should be certified every two years.
He said the facility and the launch of the program do not currently train high school graduates as entry points.
College officials said delegates from local and international companies would wait about two weeks (for the duration of the testimony). The institute appoints two teachers for each of the 12 trainees.
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Economic opportunities
The College’s Interim Vice President for Economic and Trade Development, Jennifer Menard, for her part, said the delegates expect to eat at local restaurants and stay in local hotels, giving the city another “great opportunity.”
Menard said the establishment of the training center in Massachusetts was a “key component” to establishing a supply chain for the marine industry. Each state expects millions of dollars from New Jersey and New York to compete off the coast.
During a meeting with business executives in Europe years ago, Keating told authorities and industry representatives what the biggest incentive to protect marine industry investment in the United States was. He said the answer was an educated manpower.
So this is what we are talking about today. It cannot be more important if we are successful in this country. “These are not short-lived jobs … these are jobs that require constant training for safety and professional purposes. And this institution will be the center of this center in our region.
NOWI could expand into ocean training
Mayor John Mitchell said the future facility’s use of the city’s natural resources (water) is another example. He said the facility will improve the city and the region to attract investment, increase employment and create jobs for families in Greater Bedford.
“The coastal wind industry is not only good for the environment and will be a pillar of US efforts to combat climate change, but it is also a way to create opportunities for all,” Mitchell said.
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According to Bentley, the renovation of the structure will cost about $ 5 million, and the installation of training equipment will cost an additional $ 1 million.
Bristol Community College is applying for some subsidies, including from Massachusetts Pure Energy Center, Menard said. They also expect to receive some state and federal grants.
Bentley decided to set up the facility in New Bedford and after a two-year search at the former packaging corporation’s site.
She says they want to be as close to the beach as possible. Asked why, Bentley said the trainees will have direct access to the towers and turbines they build. “On the road,” she said, adding that NOWI could expand training to go outside facilities such as ports and oceans.
Standard Times reporter Anastasia E. Lenon can be reached at alennon@st.com. You can follow her on Twitter @ aelennon1. Support local journalism by purchasing digital or print subscriptions to The Standard-Times today.