Protect Earth News

Posted May 02, 2023

Mayor Marty Small, Sr. joined representatives from Orsted, Rowan College of South Jersey and other local organizations to announce the launch of a  first-of-its-kind wind farm job readiness program.

The workforce development program, called Wind Power Ready, recruits and trains individuals and Atlantic City and nearby areas to become wind farm technicians on Orsted projects.

“The development of offshore wind here in the great city of Atlantic City presents opportunities on many fronts,” said Atlantic City Mayor Small. “Education and job opportunities are two major components that I have stressed since becoming the Mayor. I believe that this particular work program can supply participants with lifelong tools and success. I encourage interested residents to attend an information session to see if this program is a good fit for them.”

Learn more about the program here: https://us.orsted.com/news-archive/2023/05/orsted-announces-offshore-wind-farm-technician-job-readiness-program

Wind Power Ready, its wind farm technician job readiness program, at Carnegie Library in Atlantic City. The first-of-its kind program will partner with local organizations near Ørsted’s developing offshore wind facilities throughout the country to provide a pathway for individuals from underserved communities to start a well-paid and permanent career in clean energy.

“Wind Power Ready is part of Ørsted’s commitment to diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio while also bringing equity and diversity to our workforce,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO, Americas at Ørsted. “This first-of-its-kind program will open a pathway for those who want a career in clean energy but might lack the credentials, supports or experience. Ørsted wants to recruit individuals from local, underserved communities and offer real career opportunities supporting America’s clean energy future.”

A local workforce development program developed in partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey, Wind Power Ready will recruit and train individuals in Atlantic City and the surrounding area to become wind farm technicians on Ørsted projects. The program is funded through grants from Ørsted, the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training, the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The Wind Power Ready program will serve as a model for future partnerships with community-based organizations near Ørsted’s various developing offshore wind projects. Focusing on training individuals from traditionally underserved populations – especially Black and brown people, women, and residents of communities disproportionately impacted by the effect of pollution and contamination – this unique program will provide participants with the skills they need to secure a career in clean energy. Participants will benefit from hands-on and practical experience and could graduate to become offshore wind turbine technicians in less than 22 weeks. Additionally, participants will be paid for their time while learning the skills and experience needed to work on an offshore wind farm.

Ørsted has set a goal to hire at least 40 percent of the Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind project technician workforce from the training program, a career that offers an annual compensation of at least $65,000 plus benefits. This goal aligns with environmental justice advocacy positions and the resulting Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative, which sets a goal for 40 percent of benefits from renewable energy projects to go towards environmental justice communities.

“The Wind Power Ready program will help address historical inequalities by investing in and training people from communities near our operations and maintenance facilities, and connect many of them with the safe, green, well-paying and permanent career pathways that Ørsted offers,” said Erik Antokal, Director of Workforce Development for Ørsted. Ørsted is developing six offshore wind farms set to create 5 GW of renewable energy – enough to power nearly 4 million homes.