By DARA BUTTERFIELD
Aberdeen-based Ashtead Technology Ltd has invested £500,000 to launch a ‘first of a kind’ new subsea training academy in Scotland’s oil capital.
The new subsea technology training academy in Westhill is aimed at meeting global demand for improved competency in the configuration, operation and maintenance of increasingly sophisticated equipment required in more complex subsea oil and gas projects in deeper waters and hostile locations around the world.
In a pilot scheme prior to launch, the Ashtead Technology Academy delivered several courses to a number of leading subsea companies, including a three-day acoustics course and a one-day introduction to offshore survey equipment course.
Tim Sheehan, Commercial Director, Ashtead Technology, said: “As the subsea industry continues to grow and leading-edge technology evolves to deliver systems to meet more complex challenges in deeper waters, subsea survey, construction and maintenance companies must have the skills and competency to ensure these systems are properly configured, operated and maintained.
“This launch is the result of considerable investment in the best facilities, trainers and training materials by Ashtead Technology. Through our 30 years of experience and expertise in working with specialist subsea technology, we have developed a range of courses which will give delegates the confidence and competence required in working with the latest systems available in the market.”
Donald Campbell, Senior Survey Support Engineer at Subsea 7, said: “We have been pleased to support Ashtead Technology in the development of this ground-breaking training academy. Our delegates have been more than satisfied with the professionalism and knowledge of the training team. Also the level of training delivered has met our needs and that of our staff comfortably.”
The Academy will be led by Steve Cullen who joined the company in the newly created position of training manager. Cullen is an electrical and electronic engineer with more than 20 years’ offshore experience in subsea construction, hydrographic survey, fibre optics, remote intervention and drilling operations support.
Ashtead Technology expects to train up to 60 people per month at its new subsea academy. The courses available will cover the functioning of offshore survey equipment, acoustic positioning and motion sensing systems, hydrographic and geophysical survey equipment, cable and pipe detection and tracking systems and ROV sensors and multiplexors.
Neil Gordon, Chief Executive, Subsea UK, added: “This will make a significant contribution to our industry. The UK has long been regarded as the centre of excellence for the subsea sector and people are a key part of that success and the Ashtead Training Academy will further bolster our industry’s capabilities leading to a highly competent workforce – which remains the global standard.”
Ashtead employs 90 people in Aberdeen, London, Houston and Singapore and has a global reach with agents in Abu Dhabi and Perth (Australia).
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy