A new Offshore Skills Academy in Montrose is set to receive £1.25 million from the Tay Cities Industrial Investment Programme which sits alongside the Tay Cities Region Deal, paving the way for accelerated growth in Scotland’s renewable energy sector.
Following Full Business Case approval from the Scottish Government and the Tay Cities Region Joint Committee, the Montrose Port Skills Academy (MPSA) will provide specialist facilities and training programmes for workers seeking to enter or transition into the renewables industry, helping to build the skilled workforce needed to support Scotland’s rapidly expanding offshore wind sector.
Located within the historic Customs House at Montrose Port Authority’s North Quay, the academy will play a key role in strengthening the port’s position as a hub for renewable energy activity, centred on operations and maintenance services for offshore wind farms. The B-listed building has been restored to a wind and watertight condition by Montrose-based Pert Bruce Construction Ltd and local subcontractors on behalf of the port, laying the groundwork for its transformation into a dedicated renewables training facility.
The new facility will enable Dundee & Angus College to deliver a comprehensive range of training and skills development programmes focused on industrial energy transition, with a particular emphasis on offshore wind.
Councillor George Meechan, Chair of the Tay Cities Region Deal Joint Committee, said: “The funding received from the Industrial Investment Programme will assist with the fit-out costs of the Skills Academy on the ground floor of Customs House. This funding paves the way for the next steps of this fantastic project as it supports local economic development and drives forward opportunities for local jobs associated with renewable energy activity across Angus and the wider Tay Cities Region.”
Plans for the academy include a dedicated training room and workshop space, designed to support both formal learning and industry-led training, including mechanical, electrical and hydraulic disciplines. The flexible facility will also accommodate bespoke training for operations and maintenance teams based at the port, helping to futureproof the academy and ensure it continues to meet evolving industry needs.
Tom Hutchison, CEO at Montrose Port Authority, said: “With major wind farm operations based at our port, we want to make sure local people are benefitting from the jobs and opportunities that are right on our doorstep. That’s what being a trust port is about – using our position to not only serve as a commercial hub but to be a driver of regional growth that leaves a lasting impact on our community.
“The Skills Academy is central to that ambition, creating pathways for local school leavers and career changers into sustainable, long-term jobs in offshore wind while helping to develop the skilled workforce that Scotland’s rapidly growing renewables sector needs.”
Over the past two years, Angus Council, Montrose Port Authority and Dundee & Angus College have worked in partnership to develop the project, with the college now delivering specialised Vestas-accredited courses to its first cohort of learners, a significant milestone given that Vestas, the turbine manufacturer behind the Seagreen and Inch Cape offshore wind farms, has chosen the academy as the base for its apprenticeship programme, which launches in August 2026 through Dundee & Angus College.
Seagreen is currently Scotland’s largest operational offshore wind farm, while Inch Cape is under construction - both of which are operated and maintained from Montrose Port.
Julie Grace, Vice Principal of Dundee & Angus College, said: “Dundee & Angus College is proud to be a key partner in the development of the Montrose Port Skills Academy. Throughout the planning process, we have worked closely with employers, industry partners and Montrose Port Authority to identify the skills, equipment and training requirements needed to support the growing offshore renewables sector.
“The academy will provide access to a wide range of industry-relevant training, from technical and safety certifications to specialist skills development for offshore wind operations and maintenance. By aligning our training provision with employer demand, we are helping to create clear pathways into high-quality careers for school leavers, existing workers looking to upskill, and those transitioning from other energy sectors.
“As Scotland accelerates its journey towards Net Zero, ensuring we have a skilled workforce ready to support that transition is essential. The Montrose Port Skills Academy represents a significant investment in people, skills and regional economic growth, helping to secure the talent needed to support the continued expansion of the offshore wind industry.”
The academy directly supports Montrose Port’s ambition to attract new economic activity to the region. By expanding local access to specialist training, the project will increase the local economic impact of both existing and future renewable energy developments, driving productivity, creating higher-value employment opportunities and supporting long-term clean growth across Angus and the wider Tay region.
