Dundee & Angus College and the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on skills development for offshore wind at the new Montrose Port Skills Academy in Montrose Port.

The agreement sets out a strategic partnership to cultivate a highly skilled pipeline for Scotland's fast-expanding offshore wind industry, strengthening training, education and career pathways connected not only to Inch Cape but to the sector more broadly.

As part of the tie-up, Inch Cape will supply hands-on training equipment, including a nacelle training system, a hydraulic workstation and a STEM grid kit to support practical learning.

The move bolsters the shared ambition of Montrose Port Authority and Dundee & Angus College to establish the Skills Academy as a national centre of excellence for offshore wind training, innovation and workforce development.

Steve Swinley, Project Manager for Offshore Wind at Dundee & Angus College, said: "This partnership creates exciting new opportunities for our students to access industry-informed learning, hands-on training, and clear pathways into offshore wind careers. By working closely with industry partners, such as Inch Cape and its turbine supplier Vestas, we can ensure our teaching remains relevant, responsive, and focused on real-world skills."

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Through the collaboration, the College will align its curriculum with employer needs and expand student and apprentice opportunities via guest lectures, industry-led projects, site visits and potential work experience placements.

Sue Vincent, Stakeholder and Communications Manager at Inch Cape, said: "Local people with the right skills are vital at every stage of an offshore wind farm's lifecycle. Montrose Port will be Inch Cape's home not only for construction but also for the long-term operations and maintenance phase of the project, which will create around 50 new local roles. Through our support of Dundee & Angus College via Montrose Port Skills Academy, we will help provide a direct stepping-stone from education and learning into a promising local offshore wind career."

The partnership also underpins the College's Futures in Offshore Wind programme, accredited by Vestas, which equips learners with the technical capabilities, practical competencies and safety awareness required for roles in the industry.

Tom Hutchison, CEO of Montrose Port Authority said: "This partnership between Inch Cape and Dundee & Angus College is exactly the kind of collaboration that will develop the skills needed to support a thriving, sustainable energy sector.

"As a trust port, we're committed to ensuring local people have real opportunities to work on the wind farms on our doorstep. With students from across Angus already taking part in the Futures in Offshore Wind course, that's becoming a reality."

The MOU outlines joint actions including co-developing training programmes, sharing labour market intelligence and supporting STEM outreach to inspire future talent.

A joint signing event at Montrose Port Authority showcased the value of regional collaboration in advancing Scotland's clean energy goals.

The partnership reflects Dundee & Angus College's continuing focus on high-quality, industry-relevant education and on creating sustainable career opportunities for learners across the region.