F4OR PROGRAMMES
Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) is a unique service to help the UK supply chain get ready to bid for work in the offshore renewable energy sector.
The objective of the programme is to support the development of an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain – maximising opportunity for the UK supply chain, both domestically and globally.
It works with UK supply chain companies to support their entry and growth in the industry by assisting them on a journey that builds the tools and knowledge to succeed.
The programme doesn’t require participants to have experience in the offshore renewable energy sector but does require participating organisations to have identified offshore renewable energy as a strategic opportunity for growth.
Image: Rovco at Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm
F4OR GRANTED STATUS
The programme was awarded Runner Up for ‘Supply Chain Innovation of the Year’ in RenewableUK’s Global Offshore Wind Awards 2023. It is great news for F4OR – and we are delighted that the programme and all the companies that have participated are being recognised in this way.”
Davood Sabaei
Programme Manager, ORE Catapult
NATIONAL & REGIONAL
Since F4OR began in 2019, five regional programmes have run in the North East of Scotland, North East of England, East Anglia and Suffolk, and national programmes run across Scotland and UK-wide – with more in the pipeline.
Over 150 companies have been supported by F4OR, which prepares them for work in the offshore renewable energy market, and many have gone on to secure a wide range of new contracts.
CURRENT F4OR OPPORTUNITIES
The F4OR programme works with UK supply chain companies to support their entry and growth in the offshore renewable sector. Here are the latest F4OR opportunities including national and regional cohorts across the UK.
SCOTTISH ISLANDS & COASTAL COMMUNITIES 2025
Expressions of interest are now open for our inagural Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme across Scottish island and coastal communities.
In partnership with the developers of four major Scottish offshore wind projects – MachairWind, Spiorad na Mara, Stoura and Arven – the F4OR Scottish Islands and Coastal Communities programme will offer fully-funded, expert support to help eligible companies succeed in the offshore wind industry.
Click here to download the F4OR Scottish Islands & Coastal Communities scope and guidance document.
NATIONAL F4OR 2024
The National F4OR 2024 cohort is now open for applications. Sponsored by OWGP, applications can be submitted until 18 November 2024. This is only the second time sponsored F4OR places have been offered to companies UK-wide. It builds upon 10 previous successful regional and national initiatives focused on helping the UK supply chain prepare to bid for work in the offshore renewable energy sector.
VIEW OUR IMPACT REPORTS
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR F4OR
All EOI forms will be displayed under the individual regional and national programmes (see above) when applications are open.
Due to the level of interest we receive from companies wishing to participate in the F4OR programme, all interested parties are asked to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
Following submission of this, and confirmation the applicant meets the criteria outlined above, they will be invited to complete a Capability Questionnaire and possibly a business ‘self-assessment’. You may then be requested to have a phone discussion with the F4OR team, to confirm your place on the programme. For companies which are unsuccessful in their application, the F4OR team will provide guidance on what other business support or improvement schemes might be appropriate for the company to consider.
Please note, the Expressions of Interest forms (EOIs) are completed as online forms. It is not possible to save the form midway through. Therefore, we recommend that you review the EOI form initially, but prepare any more substantial written responses offline. You can then populate the EOI online by pasting in relevant sections of text.
[Although already active in the sector] Balmoral’s move towards the energy transition was enhanced when we joined the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables programme. Over the past 20 months we have achieved granted status for F4OR and secured several contracts for offshore wind, both fixed and floating, while also seeing success in the wave and tidal arena.”
Ian Milne
Sales Manager, Balmoral Comtec Ltd.
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