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Growing recruitment firm Samuel Knight has spotted an opportunity to export UK offshore wind skills to the US, having achieved an investor visa status.
The Newcastle-based operator, which specialises in placing energy and transport sector manpower, says it has secured E-2 investor visa, meaning it can export skills stateside in a matter of weeks. It means workers can work in the US for between three months to five years.
The move follows a period of growth for the recruiter, which recently said it would reach £25m turnover this year on the back of a successful launch of its Dallas, Texas office. Samuel Knight also has outposts in Chicago and Boston, having launched in the US two years ago.
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To get E-2 investor visa status, businesses must demonstrate an undefined “substantial” investment in the US. Workers using the status must be destined for an executive or supervisory role, or have specialist skills.
In Samuel Knight’s case, the firm is looking at placing specialist offshore wind workers which may include design and build experts, operations and maintenance personnel, and decommissioning and repowering specialists. The firm has worked with some of the sector’s most prominent names including Vestas, GE and Siemens Energy.
Dylan Christie, chief operating officer at Samuel Knight International said: “The drive to net zero is seeing trillions of dollars being invested in the renewable energy sector across the globe and – as part of this – the American market is seeing significant growth. With that growth comes increased demand for highly skilled offshore professionals and that talent is in huge demand.
“The UK has been at the forefront of offshore wind for over two decades and, as a result of that, has a pool of specialist skills and experience that can meet the current demands of the US market. Securing E-2 visa status demonstrates Samuel Knight’s commitment to helping the USA develop their offshore wind sector by exporting a highly specialised workforce that can help companies enter, grow and develop their capabilities in this rapidly growing industry.”
Elsewhere, Samuel Knight has reported growth in its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division which it says has surpassed turnover expectations to reach £14.5m. CEO and founder Steve Rawlingson said: “The success of our EMEA division and the above forecast figures that have come out of there is a testament to the people driving this business unit and their incredible knowledge of the energy sector, all of which has helped contribute to what we predict will be our most successful year to date.”
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