WindEurope Panel Inspires Future Talent

At this year’s WindEurope conference in Copenhagen, Global Wind Organisation (GWO) led a panel session titled Technical Pathways in Wind, aimed at students and early-career professionals interested in joining the wind industry.

Moderated by GWO Training Project Manager Thomas Redmond, the panel brought together leading voices from industry, education and government to share their insights on building careers in the wind energy sector. Speakers included:

Brian Smedegaard Pedersen – Vestas

Gerben Huiszoon – Scalda & T-shore Centres of Vocational Excellence

Helena Quilty – Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland)

Karolina Jastrzębska – windhunter academy

The group showcased the wide range of technical career routes available across Europe and highlighted pioneering initiatives preparing the workforce of the future.

They also reflected on findings from the Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2024-2028, which projects a need for over 532,000 technicians within the next five years—212,000 of whom will be new to the industry. This growth presents a significant opportunity for students, career changers and those seeking to contribute to a fair and inclusive energy transition.

The panel explored typical job roles, training pathways and the critical role education providers play in supporting industry demand. A high level of engagement from the audience reflected strong curiosity and enthusiasm, with participants asking thoughtful questions throughout the discussion.