Tommy Rudd is a member of the 100-strong wind operations team who help service and maintain Greater Gabbard wind farm from their Lowestoft base. Local to the area, the 25-year old has been with the project since 2011 after spotting an advert in the local paper for a trainee technician position.
The opportunity at Greater Gabbard came along at just the right time for Tommy. A year earlier, he was in the third year of an apprenticeship with local electrical firm, SLP, when the company encountered financial difficulties and entered receivership.
Tommy said: ”After being made redundant from SLP, I took the decision to finish my apprenticeship under my own steam. However, with the way the economy was at that time, I’d resigned myself to the fact that I would have to move away from the area to find suitable work after my studies were complete.
“When I spotted this opportunity I was very interested. It was a new, exciting, industry to get into and the offer of long term work was a big plus for me. After speaking to a family member involved in the renewables area, my mind was made up.”
After completing his traineeship earlier this year and becoming a fully qualified wind operations technician, Tommy travels the 23km to the offshore wind farm every day either by helicopter or workboat to carry out maintenance work on the 140 offshore wind turbines. Activities can range from investigating and repairing a minor fire alarm fault to helping to replace a 33kV transformer.
“I love my job as every day is different and this keeps it interesting and exciting. I am an electrician by trade but I also get involved with hydraulics and mechanical work, which means I’m learning all the time. The team here is great and, given how new the industry is, you really feel that you can progress your career here,” said Tommy.
In building the operations team, SSE, on behalf of the joint venture with RWE, has targeted its recruitment to Lowestoft and the surrounding area, with around 95% of employees recruited locally. Based on his own experience, Tommy has some advice for anyone thinking about a change of career.
“I know it is easy to say, but I would 100% recommend this type of work to anyone with a trade looking for a different career path. With the wind industry growing every year, the opportunities are out there.
“I’m Lowestoft born and bred and think I’m very lucky to have found a rewarding job which allows me to live and work in the town where I grew up. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.”