Supply Chain Database for North Wales and North West England
This database shows what qualifications, certifications and training are needed for businesses that want to work in the offshore energy sector, particularly offshore wind and elements of the tidal energy sector. The database also shows what training, funding and support is available to help businesses and workers get these qualifications listed on the database.
Each qualification is grouped and aligns with the Industrial Growth Plan (IGP). They’re also aligned with the four contract types, highlighted as areas of growth for the OEA region within our Regional Growth Prospectus:
Future Electrical Systems & Cables
Smart Environmental Services
Next Generation Installation and O&M
Industrialised Foundations & Substructures
| IGP Category | Contract Type / Activity | Qualification / Accreditation | Crossover to Tidal | External Source Link | Support Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Future Electrical Systems & Cables | High-Voltage Cable Laying | GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) | Yes | globalwindsafety.org | GWO-approved local centres; Welsh Government Skills Programme |
| Future Electrical Systems & Cables | Cable Jointing (HV) | CompEx Zone 1 & 2 | Yes | compextraining.com | BEIS Skills Accelerator grants; OEA technical webinars |
| Future Electrical Systems & Cables | Electrical Installation & Commissioning | ECS JIB Gold Card | No | ecs.org.uk | CITB Skills and Training Fund; regional Growth Hubs |
| Future Electrical Systems & Cables | Cable Testing & Diagnostics | VCA Pro Cable Test | No | vca.org.uk | Innovate UK Funding; OREC network events |
| Future Electrical Systems & Cables | Subsea Cable Handling | Banksman & Slinger (Offshore) | Yes | globalwindsafety.org | CITB Banksman & Slinger bursaries; North West Skills Bootcamps |
| Smart Environmental Services | Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) | NEBOSH Environmental Diploma | No | nebosh.org.uk | North Wales LEP support; CITB Environmental Grant |
| Smart Environmental Services | Ecological Surveys | CIEEM Accredited Practitioner | Yes | cieem.net | OEA-facilitated field training bursaries |
| Smart Environmental Services | Marine Mammal Observation | MMO Certificate (JNCC) | Yes | jncc.gov.uk | Welsh Government Marine Sector Support |
| Smart Environmental Services | GIS & Remote Sensing for Surveys | ESRI ArcGIS Professional Certification | No | esri.com | Smart Specialisation Funding; Skills Advisory Panel grants |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Offshore Survival & Emergency Training | OPITO BOSIET | Yes | opito.com | OPITO bursaries via OREC; regional safety hubs |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Work at Height | GWO Working at Heights | No | globalwindsafety.org | WO bursaries via approved centres; CITB Safety, Health & Environment Fund |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Lifting Operations | Lifting Operations Competence (Appointed Person Certificate (LEEA)) | No | leeaint.com | CITB LEEA funding; OEA lifting-ops workshops |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Turbine Blade Inspection | Level 2 IRATA Rope Access Rescue Technician | Yes | irata.org | CITB rigging & access grants; OEA mentorship |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Crane Operation & Maintenance | CPCS Offshore Crane Operator | Yes | citb.co.uk | CITB Skills and Training Fund; local rigging schools |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | ROV Operations | IMCA ROV Pilot Technician | Yes | imca-int.com | Innovate UK robotics grant; OREC workshops |
| Next Generation Installation & O&M | Turbine Maintenance Specialist | Manufacturer Certification (e.g. Siemens SWT, GE O&M) | No | Via OEM training portals | OEM training vouchers; OEA partnership schemes |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Structural Welding & Inspection | CSWIP 3.1 / EN ISO 9606-1 Certified Welder | Yes | twi-global.com | CITB Support Fund; Manufacturing Growth Programme |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) | PCN Level 2 UT & RT | Yes | pcncertification.com | Smart Manufacturing Innovation Fund; OEA NDT forum |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Finite Element Analysis (FEA) | FEANI Chartered Engineer; ANSYS Professional Course | No | feani.org | Digital Innovation Fund; OREC technical clinics |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Cathodic Protection Systems | NACE CP1 & CP2 | Yes | nace.org | BEIS Hydrogen & Offshore Network grants; regional CP workshops |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Steelwork Execution | Factory Production Control (FPC) | No | en1090certification.com | TWI FPC workshops; Manufacturing Growth Programme |
| Industrialised Foundations & Substructures | Precast Concrete Foundations | CPCS Telehandler & Banksman | No | citb.co.uk | Construction Skills Fund; North West Construction Hub |
| Cross-Cutting (All Categories) | Health & Safety Management | NEBOSH National General Certificate; IOSH Managing Safely | Yes | nebosh.org.uk, iosh.com | HSE grants; OEA compliance support |
| Cross-Cutting (All Categories) | Quality Management Systems | ISO 9001 Lead Auditor | No | iso.org | Manufacturing Growth Programme; BEIS Quality Improvement vouchers |
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