GWO and ABEEólica Build Training Pathways for Brazilian Wind Workers

The Brazilian Association of Wind Energy and New Technologies, ABEEólica, is teaming up with Global Wind Organisation, to align the country’s local industry practices with international standards.

The partnership will see ABEEólica publishing Brazil’s Guidelines for Entry Level Wind Turbine Technician Training in 2025. These guidelines are an established recommendation for the wind industry, employers, governments and policymakers as they seek solutions and frameworks for upskilling the next generation of workers. Similar projects were completed in 2023 and 2024 in the United States through American Clean Power and the Japanese Wind Power Association, providing a much-needed support for the workforce development aspects of those countries' energy transition strategies.

The Brazilian federal administration signed the “tripling renewable energy by 2030” pledge at COP28 and GWO/GWEC forecasts predict a demand for some 12,300 skilled technicians by 2028. There is a “business as usual” expectation of 23GW of installation over the next 4-5 years, but Brazil’s workforce need is expected to ramp up significantly as companies prepare for the first offshore project scheduled for commissioning in 2030.

Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of Global Wind Organisation, explains: 

Workforce is likely to become one of the industry's biggest strategic bottlenecks in the next five years. ABEEólica is making a sound decision to ensure that its foundations are in place, and that with these guidelines it can communicate what the industry needs to see on an entry level technician’s pathway into employment.

Elbia Gannoum, CEO of ABEEólica, adds:

As the representative body for renewable energy in Brazil, our role is to facilitate growth and apply best practice wherever possible. Publishing these guidelines will give us a perfect tool to align our stakeholders around, helping them make key workforce development choices in the coming years.

How do the guidelines work?

The ABEEólica Guidelines for Entry Level Wind Turbine Technician Training will define the role of an entry level wind turbine technician and what training they require to acquire the right skills, competences and abilities. In terms of scope, the guidelines are limited to technicians working in Construction, Installation, Operations and Maintenance of wind turbines. A task force of stakeholders from Brazil will be leading the work, facilitated by GWO’s project managers, to assess the existing context. The first draft of the guidelines is expected in Q2 2025, with publication in the second half of the year.