The Netherlands Wind Energy Association, recruitment and human resources specialist Atlas Professionals and offshore energy training organisation DOB-Academy have started a ‘roadshow’ visiting vocational educational institutes in the Netherlands
The aim of the roadshow is to attract young people to work in the country’s growing offshore wind energy industry and tackle a potential shortfall in recruitment.
Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA) human capital specialist Bastiaan Vader said, “The roadshow aims to connect young people with the number one sustainable source of electricity of the future. It’s a chance to present the enormous opportunities the wind industry sector has to offer young people.
“Renewable energy is relatively new, and not everyone can grasp the extent of the transition and the career opportunities it offers. The roadshow is a way to bridge this gap.”
NWEA estimates that more than 2,500 people will need to be recruited by the offshore wind industry in the next five years. That is according to the report Employment analysis (2019-2023) of field activities in the Dutch offshore wind sector.
Re-skilling workers from the offshore oil and gas industry is seen as a short-term solution to fill the upcoming human capital gap. Engaging with the next generation is a long-term solution, said Atlas Professionals renewables manager Joost Pellis.
“We are convinced that the industry cannot rely on re-skilling workers from other industries as a long-term solution,” Mr Pellis said. He said the offshore oil and gas industry can offer higher rates of pay than wind. “We are already noticing that oil and gas professionals are returning to the sector as activity there picks up,” he said. “We need other solutions and we need to increase awareness among young people of the potential for careers in renewables.”
“What’s different about the renewables roadshow is that we visit schools. We want to make it easy for teachers to show their pupils that they can become a wind turbine technician as easily as they can become a car mechanic.”
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.