More than 370 students have attended a skills conference to learn about the potential career opportunities available in the offshore renewables sector.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Students from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. PHOTO: Nick ButcherStudents from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2017)

The Lowestoft Skills Conference took place on March 30 at East Point Academy in Lowestoft and saw Year Nine, Ten and 11 students, from academies and colleges across the Waveney area, in attendance.

The event, supported by ScottishPower Renewables, enabled the youngsters to learn further about the offshore renewables industry through interactive workshops.

Organised by Nwes World of Work, in partnership with East Point Academy, the day highlighted the opportunities available on the east coast and encouraged students to seriously consider whether a career in the industry might be right for them.

Thomas Felton, project change controller at ScottishPower Renewables, said: 'I grew up in Lowestoft and I went to college here too, so it's really exciting for me to see the investment and the creation of jobs in the town.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Students from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. Connor Wickham-Moore and Luke Vincent enjoying the event. PHOTO: Nick ButcherStudents from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. Connor Wickham-Moore and Luke Vincent enjoying the event. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2017)

'It's been a brilliant day. The students were keen to learn more, especially in the workshops, and asked a lot of questions.'

He added: 'Events like this are invaluable in recruiting the next generation of professionals to the renewable energy sector. There are enormous possibilities and career paths to take, from engineering to planning, project management to electricians.

'East Anglia is truly at the forefront of the offshore wind industry, so it's the perfect time to promote the career opportunities to students who are thinking about their next steps after school.'

ScottishPower Renewables is the developer behind the £2.5bn East Anglia ONE project, a 102-turbine windfarm off the coast of East Anglia

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Students from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. Harry Gooch having fun on the icanbea stand. PHOTO: Nick ButcherStudents from East Point Academy and Yarmouth High School take part in a renewable energy skills conference. Harry Gooch having fun on the icanbea stand. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2017)

In collaboration with East Anglia ONE turbine provider Siemens, ScottishPower Renewables held two skills workshops, during the day, to get students involved and give an overview of the different renewable energy sources, with particular focus on wind power.

Students also listened to a careers talk from industry experts as well as enjoying the chance to try on the engineer's safety harness in a hands-on experience of what it is like to be a turbine engineer.

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lowestoft Skills Conference at East Point Academy, Lowestoft. ScottishPower Renewables workshop and stand on display. Picture: James Bass PhotographyLowestoft Skills Conference at East Point Academy, Lowestoft. ScottishPower Renewables workshop and stand on display. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: James Bass Photography)