Apprentices sail into offshore wind jobs

Jamie Edwards, Bridie Gallagher and Logan Ebanks were among 700 Dogger Bank applicants

Three teenagers from South Shields have landed apprenticeship roles at what is dubbed the world's largest offshore wind farm.

Bridie Gallagher, Logan Ebanks and Jamie Edwards, who are all 18, have begun work at the Dogger Bank HQ at Port of Tyne.

Electrical engineering students Bridie and Logan will soon be working on the 260-metre turbines in the North Sea, while Jamie will take up a roll in logistics.

They were among about 700 people who applied for roles with operator Equinor.

Construction of the wind farm, 80 miles off the North East coast, is currently being carried out by SSE Renewables.

The original estimate for full completion was 2026, but the company says the project has suffered delays linked to weather, supply chain issues and the availability of specialist vessels.

Work has begun on installing 277 wind turbines at Dogger Bank

Bridie said: "My dad is an electrician and I used to do jobs with him on a weekend when I was at school in years 10 and 11.

"I have always been interested in engineering and wanted to be in a job where I am doing my bit for the environment."

She added: "It's still a bit uncommon for women to be working in engineering. I am one of only two, out of about 15 or 20 people in my class."

The apprentices will be based at Port of Tyne

Fellow engineer Logan says his A levels paved the way towards his new career.

"I did physics, maths and business," he said. "Building on the physics side and working with electricity was always the favourite part of my A levels.

"The big appeal is the ability to work in an industry which is benefitting the environment."

Logan and Bridie have already learned rope skills and rescue techniques ahead of working on the huge turbines.

Meanwhile Jamie, who has moved from a job on container ships, said: "I am on a logistics apprenticeship which means I help to load the ships and make sure all of the parts get out to the turbines.

"I used to work at sea. I loved offshore work but wanted to get into renewables."

Electricity will be sent via subsea cables to Teesside and East Yorkshire

Dogger Bank is being built in four sectors in a shallow area of the North Sea which stretches about 80 miles off the coast of Yorkshire towards Denmark.

It also reaches Dutch and German territorial waters.