More than 250 hopeful wind technicians were interviewed at a recruitment event in Great Yarmouth for over 100 new jobs at 3sun Group.

Demand for interviews was so high that extra managers were drafted in from nearby 3sun House to make a team of eight interviewers to cut waiting times for the 150 walk-in appointments at the Kings Centre last week.

Applicants were mostly oil and gas workers from the Yarmouth and Lowestoft area worried about their futures during the sector downturn and seeking a new start and training for new roles in a growing new industry with 'longevity'.

Recruiters had pre-booked interviews with 100 people with the relevant electrical, mechanical and inspection qualifications after more than 1,500 people sent in CVs after the recruitment drive was announced last week.

The new jobs will service 3sun Group's £6m of new and existing contracts in offshore wind across the UK and internationally.

Lisa Lock, head of HR for 3sun Group, said everyone who attended was interviewed and added: 'We will do this type of event again because our work is going to grow. It great to be able to give people a start in a new industry and meet so many people who want to work with us.'

'The feedback was brilliant and the way our team responded so quickly and willingly to the call for extra interviewers shows the ethos of 3sun Group team work.'

3sun Group recruiter Sally Spaull, who interviewed throughout the six hours, said the calibre of candidates had been excellent.

'I am confident we will get the technicians we need without going to agencies from this recruitment drive. We now have a fresh database of potential technicians. As a recruiter, it is really exciting as it is now my job to find them jobs.'

3sun Group chief executive Graham Hacon targeted local people and oil and gas workers experiencing difficulties finding work when he announced the new job opportunities. Interviewees' ages ranged between 19 and 60 and included electricians and mechanical engineers and qualified turbine engineers working for agencies who wanted to have a permanent job.