Sometimes the best ideas start with a simple conversation.
Following a brief conversation with Nele Andersch of The Reference Point at Offshore Wind Connections 2025, an idea was born – and the challenge was accepted: could we bring together a group of apprentices and give them the opportunity to undertake a voyage of discovery across the North Sea to Hamburg?
Chris Sarel, Managing Director of GEV Windpower, was the first to offer his support, and Luke Skeffington, Offshore Operations Training Specialist at RWE, soon joined the adventure.
Over the following months, plans were developed and a partnership between four organisations began to take shape.
Setting sail
September soon arrived, and ten apprentices and interns set sail for Hamburg.
For many of the group, it was their first experience of sailing. The crossing of the North Sea certainly provided a baptism of fire. With following seas allowing the swell to build, there was more than a little sea sickness along the way!
But when I met the group in Hamburg, the exhaustion was accompanied by huge smiles and an obvious sense of achievement.
Working in watches, getting very little sleep and adapting to life at sea challenged the group in ways that went far beyond sailing. They had to rely on one another, communicate effectively, demonstrate resilience and work together as a team. Along the way, they grew not only as young people, but as emerging leaders.
When we spoke to them in Hamburg, they talked about the isolation of being at sea, the dark skies and the incredible experience of looking up and seeing shooting stars.
These are the moments that memories are made of.
A new perspective in Hamburg
After a hearty hamburger in Hamburg, the group was welcomed by Nele and her team to WindEnergy Hamburg, the world’s leading wind energy trade fair.
For the young people, the conference opened up a whole new perspective on the industry they are beginning their careers in.
For me and the GEV team, who were attending the conference alongside them, it was fantastic to watch them engage with CEOs, project managers, sales professionals and people from across the global wind industry.
They represented themselves, their organisations and the Humber region exceptionally well.
They asked questions. They shared ideas. They showed curiosity and confidence.
One of our volunteers summed it up perfectly in a group message to them:
“I have a notion that our world is going to be alright in your hands.”
I think that says a great deal about what we saw.
These young people have enthusiasm, ideas, questions and a real sense of responsibility. They are not simply the workforce of tomorrow — they are the leaders of the future.
The journey home
After two days at the conference, the yacht — now laden with free gifts from businesses across the world — and its intrepid crew set sail for Hull.
Thankfully, the North Sea was kinder on the return journey. With calmer seas and newly acquired sea legs, the voyage home was a much more enjoyable experience.
When I met the group back in Hull, the smiles were even bigger.There was a new-found sense of pride and, perhaps most importantly, a shared experience that will stay with this group of young people throughout their careers.
They had crossed the North Sea together, faced challenges together, represented their organisations together and experienced an international industry event together.
That creates a bond.
Partnership in action
CatZero would like to extend a huge thank you to Nele and The Reference Point, and to everyone at GEV Windpower and RWE whose support made this adventure possible.
This partnership demonstrated what can happen when businesses come together to engage charitably, invest in young people and create opportunities that extend far beyond the workplace.
Ten apprentices and interns became the first group to sail to WindEnergy Hamburg — and, in doing so, created an experience that none of them are likely to forget.
The Humber region knows how to make things happen.
And, as we’ve already been invited back…
See you again in 2028!
