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Aurora Energy Services has officially opened its pioneering Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness - marking a major milestone for net zero skills development ambitions for the region.
Having already trained more than 1,000 people in its first year, the official opening marks the completion of the business’s full £1.2 million refurbishment.
The centre is the first of its kind in the region. With the 11,000 sq ft purpose-designed base close to Inverness Harbour, Aurora is delivering GWO, ECITB and IRATA-certified training - avoiding the need for prospective wind sector workers to travel to Aberdeen, the Central Belt or even further south.
These industry accreditations ensure that graduates meet the standards demanded by the global wind sector and wider energy industry. Facilities include classrooms with AV equipment, overhead cranes, rope access and working-at-height frames, a mock turbine nacelle - and a sea survival tank.
The centre is already delivering high-impact results. Aurora is gearing up to train up to 2,000 people each year. The need is urgent: the UK offshore wind industry alone is forecast to need 89,000 workers by 2026.
Aurora’s training is tailored for both new entrants and experienced workers transferring from oil and gas. This dual focus means people with transferable expertise are not lost to the energy sector, but given a pathway into renewables.
Doug Duguid, CEO of Aurora, said:
“Establishing the training centre has provided a bridge between Scotland’s proud oil and gas energy heritage and our renewable energy future. We’re the only renewable company in the region operating highly qualified teams in the field while also running our own training centre - bringing real-world experience into the classroom."
The project has attracted significant public investment. At HIE we have supported the initial fit-out with almost £70,000 in grant funding.
Brian Robson from HIE said:
“As demand for energy skills rises, Aurora’s new renewable energy training centre will play a crucial role in developing fresh talent and retaining experienced workers. Their remit to develop new expertise and retrain workers with deep industry knowledge is a vital link in realising the potential before us.”
The centre is well placed to support local ambitions, including the development of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and major future infrastructure projects like ScotWind, INTOG and Great Glen Pumped Hydro.
The Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) has committed a debt facility package up to £20 million to help Aurora Energy Services to expand its UK-wide network of training and workshop facilities.
Jimmy Williamson, Executive Director of Investments at SNIB, said:
“Aurora has an exceptional team from a proven background of expertise honed in the oil and gas and industrials markets, now turning those skills to support the renewables sector. Their remit to develop new talent and retrain workers who already have deep, critical energy sector knowledge is a vital link in realising the potential before us.”
David Duguid, Operations Director, Aurora
Since launching in June 2022, Aurora has rapidly established itself as one of the UK's fastest-growing energy services providers and as well as the Inverness HQ has bases in Aberdeen, Wick and Huntly. The business has plans to increase its UK footprint in strategically important locations.
The company now employs 700 staff across Scotland, Australia, the United States and South America, and is forecasting full-year 2024 revenues of £85 million as part of a strategy to create a £250 million turnover business within the next three years.
The training centre is core to Aurora’s growth strategy - and to help Scotland meet its 2045 net zero targets by building the skilled workforce needed to deliver it.
Hear from Operations Director David Duguid in our short clip on the opportunities the business sees in the Highlands and Islands.
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