ATTRACTING FUTURE LEADERS IN OFFSHORE WIND
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ATTRACTING FUTURE LEADERS IN OFFSHORE WIND
The UK’s Climate Change Act 2008 aims for an 80% cut in UK carbon emissions by 2050, with clean energy produced by offshore wind, it’s an essential component to ensure we meet these ambitious targets for renewable energy.
Attracting the world’s brightest minds to the sector has never been more important to help us develop cutting-edge research and solutions to the environmental and engineering challenges facing the offshore wind industry.
THE CHALLENGE
PROJECT PARTNERS
Attracting exceptional offshore talent to the offshore wind sector
The joint government-industry Offshore Wind Sector Deal predicts that by 2030, the industry will provide a third of British electricity and triple its workforce. The Sector Deal will see industry invest £250 million, including a new Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, driving global exports which are set to increase fivefold to £2.6 billion by 2030.
All these factors illustrate the importance of having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to help drive sector growth, bridging the current talent gap and accelerate innovation.
THE SOLUTION
PROJECT FUNDER
Fully funded PHD scholarships for aspiring offshore wind leaders
A strong and diverse workforce is crucial to produce innovative technologies, manage substantial new projects, provide operations and maintenance support and more. The clock is already ticking to attract talented, creative and inspired people to meet these ambitions.
Aura gathered vital intelligence on the future skills and labour required by the sector and key challenges it is likely to face. The EPSRC Aura Centre for Doctoral Training is just one innovative pathways to help overcome the skills and resource shortages.
Aura set up the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), along with partners, including the University of Hull, to provide four-year doctoral scholarships in offshore wind energy and the environment. These are fully-funded PhD opportunities, attracting exceptional graduates to this thriving industry.
THE RESULT
Aura CDT offers over 70 PhD scholarships in offshore wind energy and the environment
Designed to attract exceptional graduates to this pioneering industry and provide the next generation of leaders. With opportunities to study in the UK’s Energy Estuary, Sheffield or Durham, the Aura CDT offers students the core strengths of each partner institution in environment, engineering and energy. It has already created a space where innovation can truly flourish through pure and applied research.
The strong collaboration between leading universities and industry, multi-million pound investment and developing an outstanding student opportunity have all led to the major step change the Aura CDT has and continues to deliver talented leaders for the sector.
The Aura CDT’s first cohort is well underway, bringing students up to speed with the latest offshore wind energy developments, as well as honing their research skills to help prepare for their 3-year PhD project.
To find out more about the Aura CDT, please visit www.auracdt.hull.ac.uk.