A ground-breaking scheme that will see funds from a proposed wind farm pay for 150 apprenticeships has been agreed.

It was announced as plans for the 9-turbine wind farm on a former open-cast coal mine site at Earlseat, Fife, were submitted for approval.

Adam Smith College (ASC) and Carbon Free Developments Ltd confirmed the deal, a UK first, that will establish the renewable energy apprenticeship scheme with payments of more than £62,000 each year, if the wind farm development is approved.

The package, amounting to around £2 million over 25 years, will deliver direct economic and community benefits to the entire Fife region.

Placements will be open to Fife residents over the age of 16 including school leavers and those who are unemployed or needing to re-train, ensuring local people can secure meaningful long-term careers in the renewable energy industry.

It is expected there will be at least 150 placements with renewable energy-related firms operating in Fife - around six per year over the 25 years that the wind farm will operate.

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Dominic Farrugia, Director of Carbon Free, said: “Carbon Free is committed to helping Fife become Scotland’s leading hub for the renewables industry, helping to attract further investment and create jobs. This wind farm – and the funds that will flow from it – will do just that, delivering direct economic and social benefits for the entire Fife region.

“From our extensive consultation with local residents and community groups, we know there is widespread enthusiasm for this project, which will make this ground-breaking apprentice scheme possible.”

Glenrothes MP Lindsay Roy welcomed the Earlseat Windfarm. He said: “Carbon Free’s proposed wind farm will bring much-needed high quality training to locals and place Fife in a prime position to exploit the jobs and regeneration potential in renewables.

“The agreement demonstrates Adam Smith College’s key role in helping the community to reap the rewards of the green energy boom which is playing a vital role in the regeneration of industry in Central Fife. The College can rightly boast that it is at the forefront of renewables education in Scotland.”

Dr Craig Thomson, Principal of ASC, added: “This scheme will further Fife’s ambition to become Scotland’s leading renewables hub, and confirms the College’s role as a key player in helping the region plug the skills gap and provide existing and potential employers with a local talent pool.”

This is the first time in the UK renewables industry that community benefits have been delivered in the form of long term apprenticeship training, and the first scheme that uses a commercial project to enhance the ability of a specific region to attract investment.

The wind farm is expected to have an installed capacity of 20.7MW

(GK)