The new academic year begins in the autumn

The innovative offshore wind programme has been running successfully since October 2012 with its first course and is already nearing completion in May 2013. The 24 participants are impressed both by the content – which is unique in this combination – and by the overall study concept. The programme thus strengthens the offshore sector not only by imparting relevant knowledge, but also through the shared exchange of experiences.

The offshore wind programme is a targeted further education course for professionals in the offshore wind energy industry. To meet the major challenges involved in implementing offshore wind energy projects, the industry requires rapid and needs-based further education for its current and future staff. The Offshore Wind programme meets this need for targeted further education by, for the first time, comprehensively covering a wide range of topics – from turbine technology to ship charter contracts and financing – whilst also ensuring the necessary transfer of knowledge through its concept of active learning. Twelve course modules cover the various topics and are explored in depth by the authors themselves during five four-day face-to-face seminars. In parallel with the seminars, participants work in fixed teams on case studies to apply the content in practice and expand their knowledge through mutual exchange.

The exchange of knowledge and experience is paramount, as failures can have far-reaching and costly consequences, particularly in this sector. Consequently, the network established within the offshore wind programme between experts and participants is of great importance to the entire offshore industry. Participants exchange ideas in an open learning environment, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the projects. Ultimately, the entire industry benefits from this exchange and the network of experts, which grows year on year.

The participants in the first class are certainly already convinced that the nine-month course has been well worth their while. “The course is theoretically sound yet practical at the same time – that’s the perfect mix, especially for realistically assessing offshore wind energy projects,” explains one participant. “What’s more, the contacts are worth their weight in gold.”

Applications for one of the 24 places on the next intake for 2013/14 can still be submitted until 30 June 2013.

The offshore wind programme is a joint project between ForWind – the Wind Energy Research Centre at the Universities of Oldenburg, Hanover and Bremen, the Wind Energy Agency WAB e.V. and the City of Oldenburg. Financial support is provided by Bremer Landesbank, nkt cables GmbH, Nordwestassekuranzmakler GmbH & Co KG and Siemens AG.