Wind Safety Training Challenge Launched in New Jersey to Support Offshore Growth

Innovative partnerships drive development across the wind turbine industry, which results in the growth of jobs.

“The Wind Safety Training Challenge launched by New Jersey in early February is such a great example of collaboration and innovation,” says Wesley Witt, Chair of the GWO North America Committee and Head of Quality Management and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE).

Here’s what’s going on there. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) launched the New Jersey Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge, a $3 million program made possible through funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) toe stablish an industry-recognized Global Wind Organisation (GWO) safety training program and facility to prepare New Jersey workers for jobs in the growing offshore wind industry.

The Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge provides New Jersey-based academic institutions and training providers, including labor unions, an opportunity to submit proposals for establishing a GWO accredited Basic Safety and Sea Survival Training program and facility in the state. The winning applicant will receive a grant of up to$3 million to support implementation of the program and construction of the facility.

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Near-term milestones of the Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge include:

• The NJEDA and OSHE will host a webinar for potential applicants on February 24,2021 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET. Register here to attend
• Applications for the Challenge will open on March 15th, 2021, with the deadline of April 30,2021.

More information is available at www.njeda.com/windsafetytrainingchallenge    

GWO designs standardized training to build transferrable skills and credentials, including Basic Safety including Sea Survival, Basic Technical, Enhanced First Aid, Advanced Rescue and Blade Repair training – all essential for technicians.

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan says. “Establishing a GWO safety training program and facility in New Jersey will make jobs in offshore wind more accessible to New Jersey residents and will help to establish the state as a hub of the growing American offshore wind industry.”

To achieve New Jersey’s target of generating 7,500 MW of renewable energy by 2035,at least 1,825 workers will need to complete GWO Basic Safety and Sea Survival Training between 2023 and 2036.

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