New Industry, New Workforce

New College Institute, Martinsville

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the combined offshore wind energy plants currently in some stage of planning in the United States will be able to produce over 50 gigawatts of power, which is nearly as much as the current global total, and enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 10 million homes.

All of those turbines will need workers to manufacture, assemble, transport, install, operate, and maintain them. These jobs require a combination of technical skills and specialized knowledge. A wind turbine technician, for example, needs to know electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems. Because offshore turbines are typically much larger than land-based ones and are located miles from shore, their technicians also need to be able to safely work at height and on the water.

A large part in offshore wind industry workforce development will be played by career-focused educational institutions — trade schools, higher education centers, and community and private colleges across Virginia. A handful of schools are ahead of the curve and currently offer a wide range of programs related to offshore wind, from short certifications that can be completed in a week to round out a résumé to two-year programs that teach technical abilities, background knowledge, and soft skills for first-time workers. 

“We have the opportunity to prepare our region’s untapped talent for exciting careers in the offshore wind industry and develop their skills from entry-level to advanced,” said Laura Hanson, interim vice president of corporate solutions at Tidewater Community College (TCC), which has several campuses in the Hampton Roads region.

Offshore wind is a relatively new industry, and its specific needs will change over time. Educators can prepare infrastructure and instructors, relying on experience and established relationships. But many also stress the value of nimbleness in career training to be able to adjust to changing standards, industry shifts, or simple skill preferences. Together, industry leaders and educators hope to ensure that as offshore wind farms arrive off the coast of Virginia and the rest of the country, a qualified workforce is ready for them.

Centura College, Norfolk

Any Way the Wind Blows

The labor needs of offshore wind will evolve with the industry. While major projects are being built, skills related to construction or manufacturing could be in higher demand. Upon completion, the need for technicians will surge. Virginia schools collaborate with businesses to make sure the wave of graduating students is ready for cutting-edge workforce needs, and not jobs or skills even just a year out of date. For example, at Centura College in Norfolk, a committee reviews the offshore wind program every six months, as with every other program at the school.

Since 2020, Centura has offered a one-year, 10-course diploma program for offshore wind turbine technicians that includes nine different certifications. Half of the program is taken alongside electrical students. For the other half, offshore wind students attend the Maritime Institute for GWO and Coast Guard training. Early classes have had enrollment capped at 10, but that should expand with demand as new offshore wind farms open in the region. In the meantime, graduates have made good use of their general electrical training, or applied wind turbine knowledge onshore, said Joel English, executive vice president at Centura.

TCC offers a two-year associate’s degree in electrical technology with a specialization in renewable energy. A student entering the program now would graduate as the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project finishes construction and comes online. TCC also offers short-term training programs to meet immediate industry needs for technical skills, said Hanson, with plans to offer GWO training in the near future. TCC currently offers apprenticeship programs and customized training.

NCI, Centura, and the Maritime Institute are all part of the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance, a partnership launched in 2020. In practice, a general spirit of collaboration has reigned, not necessarily related to any official announcement. NCI has aimed to cover gaps in the skills that employers are looking for, while avoiding redundancy in some cases, Sumner said. In Virginia, communication among schools, businesses, and other stakeholders is fundamental to getting skilled workers into attractive jobs.

“I think Virginia is going to be the big winner because of the collaboration we’ve had,” said English.