Bristol Community College and JDR Cables (part of the TFKable Group) have launched an innovative collaboration to train the future workforce for the global offshore wind industry.
Bristol’s president, Laura L. Douglas and JDR’s Neil Brown were joined by the British Consul General to New England, Harriet Cross, and CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Stephen Pike, at a press conference held today at the college’s downtown New Bedford campus
President Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D., of Bristol Community College, and Business Development Manager, at JDR, Neil Brown, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide technical job training as part of New England’s emerging offshore wind industry.
“This exciting partnership further demonstrates Bristol’s commitment to the training and development of high-paying careers in the offshore wind industry,” said Laura Douglas, Ph.D., President, Bristol Community College. “It also ensures that the college will be able to support the region’s emerging offshore industry sector with highly-skilled workers, innovative training programs and the shared use of specialized facilities well into the future.”
“JDR is extremely excited to have secured this strategic partnership with the Bristol Community College. Bringing JDR’s industry leading 66kV cable technology and innovative thinking from working on projects in the U.S. and around the world will be so valuable to the future workforce,” said David Nemetz, Director at JDR. “This collaboration is a critical step in not only JDR’s strategy but for the future local workforce who will be at the forefront of delivering offshore wind energy. With this agreement, we have successfully established another key step in our strategy for US offshore wind and we are now prepared to make our strategy a reality.”
Harriet Cross, also attended the signing and expressed strong support for the agreement between Bristol and JDR. Consul General Cross added, “This agreement is just one example of the opportunities for collaboration between UK and U.S. organizations to support the emerging offshore wind market in the United States. I commend both Bristol and JDR for their leadership and commitment to being first movers in this exciting, emerging industry.”
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to growing the state’s clean energy economy while helping to meet the Commonwealth’s clean energy, climate and economic development goals. MassCEC constructed and operates the Wind Technology Testing Center as well as the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, a multi-purpose facility designed to support the construction, assembly and deployment of offshore wind projects.
The terminal also handles bulk, break-bulk, container shipping and large specialty marine cargo. The first of its kind in North America, the terminal is considered the most versatile heavy-lift cargo facility in the United States. The terminal is strategically located in the heart of New England on the Atlantic Coast with convenient access to open water to take advantage of both domestic and international shipping opportunities.
“Offshore wind offers Massachusetts workers a tremendous opportunity to pioneer a brand new industry and help build the state’s clean energy future,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Stephen Pike “Innovative training programs such as the one announced today by Bristol Community College and JDR Cables are key to the Commonwealth’s success in developing a workforce that will meet the diverse needs of the offshore wind industry today and in the years to come.”
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Training
