WIND energy giant Siemens has promised the people of East Yorkshire it is here for the long haul.
The company has stressed it is offering local people long-term careers, not just stop-gap jobs.
About 800 people will be directly employed at Siemens' �80m turbine manufacturing plant on Hull's Alexandra Dock, which could be up and running by 2013.
Staff at the factory will be constructing 5,000 turbines destined for massive offshore farms in the North Sea.
That work is expected to be complete by around 2024.
However, the company has revealed work on the service and maintenance of the turbines will continue in the city until at least 2049, because the turbines last for about 25 years.
Siemens executive Dan McGrail, who revealed in yesterday's Mail the majority of jobs will go to local people, said: "We don't just build the turbines, we service them and carry out operations and maintenance.
"This will last the lifetime of the turbines.
"This is a significant investment for us. It is one of the biggest projects we have ever undertaken in terms of construction."
The long-term commitment by Siemens has been welcomed across the region.
Matt Jukes, port director at Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns the dock, said: "This is a significant investment for us and Siemens, so in that respect we hope this will be the start of a very long relationship."
Paula Gouldthorpe, membership director of the Renewables Network – a networking organisation that helps members in the renewable sector – said: "Such a long-term commitment to Hull will see companies throughout the supply chain benefit for decades to come."
The Siemens project is expected to offer young job seekers across the region long-term careers - possibly even for their entire working lives.
A spokeswoman for Hull College said: "In the current economic climate, this development has the potential to create significant jobs and opportunities for local people."
Helix Precision Machining Ltd, on the Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, is already gearing up for opportunities in the sector.
The firm designs and manufactures components for a variety of different industries and has taken on three new apprentices in a bid to capitalise on the region's renewables sector.
Director Matthew Branton said: "We've done a lot of research about the longevity of such opportunities, looking at countries like New Zealand and Canada, where turbines are already being built.
"We want to find out what kind of machines and technology are currently being used.
"There is no point us running out in two years' time and trying to get someone up to speed – we want to prepare now."
One of the new apprentices, 17-year-old Daniel Whitbread, said he was keen to get involved in the wind turbine industry.
"There has been a shortage of jobs, but the Siemens announcement has given me a lot more confidence about my future.
"It has made it much better for people looking to find work."
Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson MP said he had " no doubt" Siemens would look to employ as many people as possible.
He said: "Their track record in this country, which goes back well over 100 years, is exemplary when it comes to their contribution to the local economy and local communities they work.
"I always felt confident they would seek to employ local labour."
 |  |
Stan Collymore Clint Eastwood England rugby union team Student politics Panto season Alexander Litvinenko
No comments:
Post a Comment