Massachusetts Awards $1.3 Million for Offshore Wind Workforce Training Programs
July 22, 2020 - With support from the Vineyard Wind Windward Workforce Fund, Massachusetts awarded $1.3 million in grants for offshore wind workforce training and development. The grants will support nine Massachusetts organizations including state colleges and universities, vocational training programs, an adult education program on Martha's Vineyard, and training for labor unions and commercial fishermen interested in offshore wind jobs.
“The potential for job creation in the offshore wind industry is well documented, but without a well trained workforce there is no way we can meet the demands of the sector,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “These grants take us a huge step forward and will ensure that residents can tap into the good paying jobs that will spur the broader industry. We thank the Baker-Polito Administration for their leadership and appreciate their commitment to making Massachusetts a national leader in this 21st Century industry.”
The institutions and organizations receiving funding are:
Adult Continuing Education – Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV): $128,140 to further support an Offshore Wind Technician Certificate program on Martha’s Vineyard, encourage high school dual enrollment in this Certificate program, and explore options for incorporating marine science and technology programming into Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s Career and Technical Education Program.
A.I.S., Inc. (AIS): $21,300 to expand their existing Protected Species Observer training program to include an on-the-water training component, while also developing a new training that improves offshore wind Operations and Maintenance professionals’ understanding of regional protected species.
Bristol Community College (BCC): $125,125 to expand essential training and health certification programs at the college’s National Offshore Wind Institute in New Bedford, conduct a feasibility study to understand the need and interest for additional safety and technical training programs, and develop a Basics of Offshore Wind program with the goal of helping Massachusetts businesses and individuals better understand where their existing skills and expertise can fit when it comes to supporting this new industry.
Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS): $49,562 to work with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island and the University of Rhode Island Fisheries Center to develop industry-standardized professional requirements for the safety and inspection of vessels for use in the offshore wind industry, which will allow interested fishermen to upskill and retrain for important offshore wind job opportunities that can augment their fishing incomes.
Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Development Program (GFWDP): $297,417 to work with the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership and the Northeast Maritime Institute to recruit and pre-qualify commercial fishermen for enrollment in dedicated training and certification programs at the Northeast Maritime Institute.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #223: $300,000 to establish a high voltage and fiber optic training program for skilled electricians at the IBEW’s training facility in Taunton, in partnership with JDR Cables, a cable supplier for the Vineyard Wind 1 project.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): $75,000 to conduct a feasibility study to understand the need, interest, and business case for developing and delivering a crew transfer vessel operator training program, specialized helicopter transfer training, and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Advanced Rescue Training.
University of Massachusetts, Lowell (UML): $244,457 to build on existing offshore wind workforce research and analyze the local labor market and current university-level educational offerings, and then develop educational content and associated credentialing to fill existing gaps.
VINCIVR, Inc.: $124,670 to certify two Global Wind Organisation (GWO) courses (Basic Technical Training-Installation and Slinger Signaler) using virtual reality simulations in partnership with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, an offshore wind turbine manufacturer.