The apprentices looking for careers offshore

Abridged from the original story here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99wvd9zy97o

Read about how UTCN Graduate Jovita is loving her job in the offshore industry.

The threat of sea sickness, early starts and lunch with "the best view you could think of". The offshore wind industry could treble its workforce to more than 100,000 by 2030. By then it could also be providing half the UK's electricity. What do apprentices who help keep North Sea turbines spinning make of the opportunities in the sector?

Jovita Beeston, 21 and originally from Norfolk, has just completed her three-year apprenticeship with ScottishPower Renewables and is working as a technician on the wind farm.

Her job involves maintaining the structure, like the foundation, and some of the equipment out at sea, including the hydraulic cranes.

"It's a really exciting job," she says. "To be able to say I go offshore on a day-to-day basis is such a huge thing."

And the future?

"I don't think I could pinpoint where I want to be, because I'm still experiencing everything there is to offer."

The East of England is home to almost half - 44% - of the UK's offshore wind farms. Their total capacity is around 5GW, with almost another 10GW in the pipeline.

Gillian Noble, who leads on offshore development and operations for ScottishPower Renewables, said that means "investment, jobs and opportunities for decades to come".

"Our green workforce of the future are still at school, so it’s great to showcase the difference this is making and will continue to make ­- not just those at the start of their careers, but also for many of our current colleagues who have made the transition from oil and gas - for years and years," she said.

But there are potential downsides. Some in the fishing industry fear the impact turbines and their cables have on fish stocks.

National Grid is also proposing a Great Grid Upgrade, in part to bring energy generated in the North Sea to communities onshore. That could mean hundreds of miles of new pylons and cabling built across the countryside.

Last year the government increased the subsidies available to offshore wind farms by up to two-thirds.