Wind factory fans interest in applicants

The first five members of the Siemens team developing a £310m wind turbine blade manufacturing facility have now moved into offices at Two Humber Quays on Hull Marina, two miles from Alexandra Dock where preparatory work has begun.

In January the next 10 members of staff will be recruited, the majority of whom will spend time in Denmark “learning the trade.” Eventually 1,000 people will be employed at the site, which aims to produce up to 600 blades a year which will be shipped out to vast wind farms in the North Sea.

Three of the core team have connections with the area. They include Hull-born Shaun Cray, who is general manager, real estate and construction and lives in South Cave and has been involved in the project from the start and office manager, Sidney Smith school educated, Charlene Swann. Project director Finbarr Dowling said: “You don’t come and build a facility and then don’t recruit from the locality. There wouldn’t be much point in that. But you need the right candidates, outstanding people for the roles. The biggest challenge comes in 2016 when we have to train hundreds of people locally so they are ready in November 2016 when we start production.”