UK: New High-Flying Wind Career for Former Soldier

As thousands of soldiers gear up to face redundancy in the New Year, one former serviceman is celebrating after scooping a job in the rapidly growing wind sector.

Jamie Isbister, 41, from North Shields has become a wind instructor at Maersk Training Newcastle, training people who want a new career in the wind industry or those looking to gain additional skills.

Previously Jamie worked for 22 years in the Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, rising through the ranks to become a Warrant Officer Class 2.

During his career, Jamie experienced active service in many dangerous environments including several tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Iraq. Although he loved his job, Jamie felt that after so many years of army life it was time to hang up his boots and look for a job in Civvie Street.

He said: “I’m a self-confessed home bird and always missed family and friends when working away but when I met my now-wife on a visit to the North East I knew it was time to leave the army for good. Although excited about leaving, I was a bit worried about finding a civilian job so when I got this role as an instructor at Maersk Training Newcastle I was delighted.

“The entire renewable sector is taking off rapidly so it offers fantastic career opportunities. It’s great to be able to help people achieve the qualifications they need to take advantage of these opportunities. A lot of people coming through are ex-military so I’m able to relate completely to their psyche and past experience – there’s an instant rapport. I’m thrilled to be working at the cutting edge of such an exciting industry – the job is really varied and offers a lucrative career path. My next challenge is to complete more instructor qualifications next year so that I can deliver working at height and offshore courses.”

 Vijay Rangachari, manager at Maersk Training Newcastle, said: “Jamie is a self-starter with the right attitude and skills profile to instruct others in the wide range of wind industry skills and qualifications we offer. It was clear from the start that he was the right person for the job and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Maersk Training team.

 “He delivers Wind Turbine technical courses that are unique and easily sets a newcomer apart from the rest of the crowd when it comes to applying for wind jobs. People are taking advantage of the fact that they can get certified in a Global Wind Organisation (GWO) approved course in preparation for potential certification changes in the industry in 2013.”

Maersk Training in Newcastle specialises in wind, renewable and offshore training and is the first in the UK to offer courses approved by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO).

The GWO programme is a globally recognised standard and is often the first step for those wanting a worldwide career in wind power – currently only a few centres globally have GWO approval.

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Press release, November 25, 2012; Image: MAERSK