Page 9: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jan/Feb 2026)

8 10

enced high voltage personnel for a range of specialist roles, dustry-led design, OPITO’s High Voltage qualifcations such as Senior Authorised Persons and Control Engineers offer a progressive framework to support technicians, em-

This skill pressure for these specialised roles has been ployers, and the wider energy transition.

intensifed even further by the lack of an industry accepted The qualifcations – informed by foresight work from qualifcations. Without this, experienced personnel often ORE Catapult and developed collaboratively with a con- have to repeat training or complete customised solutions sortium of industry experts and employers – all share the when moving between organizations. This limits the mo- same consistent technical foundation: bility of the workforce and increases costs for employers. • Underpinned by the European Standard EN 50110

Together, these challenges highlighted the need for an for the operation of electrical installations industry recognised and globally applicable qualifcation • Aligned with the Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) framework that allows personnel to transfer easily between standard from the Energy Networks Association (ENA) organizations and OEMs for these specialised roles. • Formal SCQF credit rating to give learners recog-

In response, OPITO has collaborated with industry ex- nized credit points that remain with them throughout perts to develop a standardized, industry recognised and their careers and support their lifelong learning journey.

globally applicable suite of High Voltage qualifcations While each certifcate stands alone, the qualifcations that will build the electrical expertise required to support build progressively from authorised person through to se- the energy transition for decades to come. nior authorised person through to control engineer.

The result is an internationally aligned framework de-

OPITO’s High Voltage qualifcations: veloped with industry, for industry, and grounded in real what employers and learners can expect operational needs.

OPITO’s High Voltage qualifcations are designed as a “These qualifcations address the specifc skills short- structured learning programme for developing specialist age in specialised high voltage operations.,” says Booth. high-voltage competence. “They align the industry around a consistent approach

With each qualifcation representing around 280 guided and support the wider need for a skilled high voltage learning hours, all learners begin with the High Voltage workforce, particularly within the wind sector for the

Training Certifcate. Depending on their role, they then specialist roles identifed”.

progress to either the Advanced Training Certifcate or the

A future-ready benchmark for building

Control Engineer Training Certifcate.

high voltage capability “As learners move through the qualifcations, the sce- narios they face become progressively more complex”, With the launch of High Voltage qualifcations, OPITO explains Lucie Booth, Product Development Manager is providing employers with something the energy transi- at OPITO. tion truly needs: a globally applicable, industry-recognized “They start with core tasks such as performing isola- high voltage specialist pathway.

tions, interfacing with network operations, and applying For experienced technicians, the qualifcations offer switching programmes, that involve a single turbine on transformative career progression into some of the most a wind farm before advancing into deeper planning, co- technically demanding roles in the energy sector.

ordination, and decision-making activities, that involve And for the industry, OPITO’s progressive framework interfacing with the network operator.” marks a signifcant step toward the safe, consistent, and

OPITO’s High Voltage qualifcations sit at SCQF (Scot- scalable high voltage capability required to power the en- tish Credits and Qualifcations Framework) Levels 7 and ergy systems of the future.

8, matching the complexity of advanced technical pro- Looking ahead, OPITO remains committed to diversi- grammes. They’re ideal for experienced electrical techni- fying its offerings as global safety-critical systems evolve.

cians ready to move into high-voltage specialist positions. “OPITO will continue to support the future of the en- ergy transition with industry-recognized qualifcations and standards that ensure the workforce is ready for the chal-

Creating a standardized, industry-led framework for high voltage competence lenges ahead,” says Booth.

Combining a consistent technical foundation with in- To learn more, please visit www.opito.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 9