The offshore wind industry gained four new recruits this week.

It comes after they completed their training with East Coast College as part of a Military into Offshore Wind initiative.

The programme aims to attract those seeking a new career after serving in the armed forces into the engineering construction industry.

With it being a collaboration between the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), East Coast College and local employers, Niall Clayton, George Reeve, Zak Trainor and Calum Lockley completed their course at the college’s campus in Lowestoft and will now move into full time roles as Wind Turbine Technicians with Stowen and Certex.

Representatives from the ECITB, Stowen, Certex and East Coast College joined the new recruits on their penultimate day at the college.

Matt Knights, Interim Head of Regional Operations at the ECITB, explained the importance this programme has for the wind industry in the East of England.

He said: "The Military into Offshore Wind programme is a collaborative model between local employers, East Coast College and the ECITB."

East Coast College’s skills lead for East Wind, Rachel Bunn, said: "The calibre of delegates has been outstanding and, I have no doubt, they will excel in their chosen career."

George Reeve, a student on the programme who recently left the Navy, said: "I see the industry as a route for me to progress in my career.

"This training programme is allowing me to take the first steps into the sector and into employment."

Kieron Ford, Business Growth Director at Stowen, said: "A great effort from all companies involved providing employment and using transferable skills from ex forces to offshore wind."

Ian Shaw, Divisional Manager Engineering Services at Certex UK, said: "We are privileged to have been able to participate in this programme."

The collaborative project was co-funded by the ECITB and East Coast College through Growth Deal Funding.