Calling Ireland Based Marine Science Students & Graduates - ESB announces funding for Marine Mammal Observer Training Programme following success of first year. - Industry-approved training courses and medicals will again be funded through the initiative in 2024 - Support and endorsements are being provided by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, The Marine Mammal Observer Association, and The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology www.ESB.ie plans to fund its Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme for a second year. The programme is open to graduates, final-year undergraduates, and postgraduate students studying or working in marine science or related disciplines in Ireland. In 2023, five participants successfully completed the programme and availed of industry-approved training courses and medicals, which were also funded through the initiative. A key objective of the programme is to assist in developing marine ecology education and skills to support successful applicants at the early stages of their careers in the marine environmental profession. An additional key aim is to fill a gap in the Irish offshore wind industry’s local supply chain due to a lack of locally-based MMOs on the island of Ireland. ESB will again award up to five places on the MMO training programme this year. All applicants must be available to participate in person for training at Kilrush, Co Clare in September. *Application forms can be requested from ESB via mmotraining@esb.ie <mmotraining@esb.ie>. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 31st July*. Please check eligibility before applying. In addition to the MMO training aspect, the costs associated with the delivery of the necessary industry-approved training courses and medicals will also be funded with the aim of ensuring all trainees are up to the standard level of competency for offshore work. These courses include Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), United Kingdom's Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) MMO training with Irish Guideline certifications, and Offshore Energies U.K (OEUK) approved medical and Fit-to-Train certifications. The training programme has been proudly endorsed by the Marine Mammal Observer Association and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The MMO training will be provided by the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and will include classroom-based training, two nights’ accommodation and a half-day at sea experience onboard the research vessel, Celtic Mist. Sincerely, Niru Dorrian -- The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) 4 Old Park Lane LONDON W1 K1QW *info@mmo-association.org <info@mmo-association.org> * *www.mmo-association.org <http://www.mmo-association.org>* * <https://www.facebook.com/The-Marine-Mammal-Observer-Association-MMOA-152181811513336/timeline> <https://twitter.com/MMO_association> [image: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3028634?trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3A...] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/3028634?trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Acompany%2CclickedEntityId%3A3028634%2Cidx%3A3-1-10%2CtarId%3A1453856139917%2Ctas%3Amarine%20mamm>*