DRIFT Offshore tackles subsea skills shortage with new global training partnership

Subsea resourcing and training specialist DRIFT Offshore has entered into a new partnership agreement with UHI North, West and Hebrides, to help address the global skills shortage in the subsea industry.

 DRIFT Offshore has established formal links with the UHI partner to develop and deliver an introductory training course focused on the operation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), trenching and subsea equipment.

The partnership presents a new opportunity for DRIFT Offshore to apply its specialist training expertise and resources to address the global skills shortage facing subsea companies, which support a range of offshore industries including the renewables sector.

“This is an exciting new initiative that capitalizes on UHI’s advanced facilities to deliver practical exercises, and will directly help ensure the availability of competent, skilled subsea personnel,” said Kyle Pitman, Founder and Director at DRIFT Offshore. “There is an acknowledged industry shortage of such personnel, who are absolutely key to the safe and successful delivery of offshore projects.

DRIFT Offshore’s Meghan Bowers, Managing Director, and Kyle Pitman, President, Americas

“It’s an issue which is particularly pertinent to energy transition. It presents many new opportunities to the subsea sector but also makes new demands – not least in terms of requiring the right people, with the right skills, to support it.”

An introductory course will be delivered by the experienced DRIFT Offshore team and managed by UHI North, West and Hebrides at their Fort William campus on Loch Linnhe.

The course content will be based in part on the existing DRIFT Offshore ROV training course, the 101 basic fundamentals of an ROV system, and will reflect the high quality and health and safety standards associated with UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Kyle adds:  “The course adds a new dimension to the subsea training environment, reflecting a wider principle that informs our approach at DRIFT Offshore. We advocate a holistic approach to creating and maintaining the skills our industry needs. We believe it’s crucial to work with individuals – from those starting out to the most experienced personnel – to map out their careers and ensure they have a plan to equip them with the skills and hands-on experience they need for the future.”

“We’re delighted to be partnering with industry experts to deliver high-quality subsea training that directly responds to sector needs,” added David Campbell, Director of Business Enterprise and Development at UHI North, West and Hebrides. “By combining DRIFT Offshore’s expertise in delivering industry-recognised training with UHI North, West and Hebrides’ shoreside facilities and academic excellence, we’ve created a powerful collaboration that supports the skills pipeline for the subsea industry.

Together, we’re committed to providing effective, career-focused training that supports individuals at every stage of their development. By aligning with both IMCA and SQA standards, we can offer a robust, quality-assured route to competence, providing confidence to trainees and reassurance to employers.

Our initial course is designed for those seeking a pathway into the sector, equipping them with the core knowledge and practical experience that will prepare them for success within the industry.”