New Fife wind farm could create 150 green apprenticeships

Plans were submitted today for a nine-turbine wind farm on a former open cast mine site at Earlseat in Fife.

The firm behind the scheme, Carbon Free Developments, and Adam Smith College have confirmed an agreement that will establish the apprenticeship scheme if the wind farm development is approved.

It will be managed by the college with annual payments of more than 62,000 from the developers.

Glenrothes Labour MP Lindsay Roy said it will bring "much-needed" high-quality training to the local workforce.

He added: "The agreement demonstrates Adam Smith College's key role in helping the community to reap the rewards of the green energy boom which is playing a vital role in the regeneration of industry in central Fife.

"The college can rightly boast that it is at the forefront of renewables education in Scotland."

The package, amounting to around 2 million over 25 years, will see placements in the renewables and energy-related industry open to Fife residents over the age of 16, including school leavers and those who are unemployed or needing to re-train.

It is expected there will be at least 150 placements with renewable energy-related firms operating in Fife - around six per year over the 25 years that the wind farm will operate.

Dr Craig Thomson, principal of Adam Smith College, said: "This scheme will further Fife's ambition to become Scotland's leading renewables hub, and confirms the college's role as a key player in helping the region plug the skills gap and provide existing and potential employers with a local talent pool."