Supply chain funding to bring floating offshore wind to the Celtic Sea

The Celtic Sea has the potential to become one of the UK’s most important renewable energy hubs, but realising this opportunity depends on having the right skills, facilities and partnerships in place.

Through The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, three sites in the Celtic Sea have been awarded to world-leading developers to progress the development of some of the largest floating offshore wind farms (FLOW) in the world.

Supported by funding from the first round of The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator, which aims to support the early-stage development of UK offshore wind supply chain projects, NPTC Group of Colleges is leading a major feasibility study that will shape plans for a FLOW Skills Academy in Port Talbot. This ambitious initiative is designed to create training opportunities, support high-quality jobs and prepare the region’s future and current workforce for the demands of this rapidly growing sector.

Significant progress on the study has already been made since the College was awarded funding in December 2024. It’s engaged with stakeholders including the successful Round 5 developers, Associated British Ports, Neath Port Talbot Council, its Regional Learning Skills Partnership, employers and private training providers to gain insight into the specialist skills that will be required across construction, engineering, offshore operations, maintenance, and digital technologies.

The College has also visited leading offshore training centres, including East Coast College, Coleg Llandrillo and Newcastle College, to learn more about training models, operational requirements, facilities design and the types of industry partnerships needed to deliver high-quality skills provision.

Its market analysis and skills needs assessment have mapped out the roles and qualifications that will be required as FLOW develops in the Celtic Sea, and a site selection study has explored potential locations for the Skills Academy in Port Talbot. A draft operating model has also been developed, outlining how the academy could function, how it might partner with industry and what would be required to ensure long-term sustainability.

By engaging widely across the sector and working closely with partners locally, regionally, and nationally, NPTC Group of Colleges is helping to ensure that Wales maximises the economic, environmental, and social benefits of FLOW and position it at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy transition. This project represents an important step in preparing the region and its communities for the opportunities ahead and in supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.