Massachusetts has announced grant funding of almost $4m through the Offshore Wind Works Program to nine organisations in the US state.
The Offshore Wind Works Program, which is administered through Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), seeks to develop and implement innovative workforce training programs to increase access to clean energy careers, education and training.
Money has been made available primarily through a new Offshore Wind Energy Career Training Trust Fund with additional support from Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Wind.
MassCEC conducted a competitive selection process to choose the organisations successfully receiving a share of the $3.8m.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) will team with VinciVR, a developer and provider of virtual reality training systems, to expand training and recruiting capabilities for the Massachusetts offshore wind industry.
It will leverage VinciVR’s virtual reality technologies and BFIT’s experience educating students from gateway communities and environmental justice populations.
The project goal is to introduce 500-plus local high school and college students to the offshore wind industry over a two-year period.
Bristol Community College will use funds for the construction of the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) Specialized Industry Training Center.
The NOWI facility will offer industry training programmess, innovation and entrepreneurship programs, educational and virtual reality simulation programmes, designed to train the local and regional workforce for occupations in the offshore wind industry.
Browning The Green Space will build on its ‘Charting Pathways to Offshore Wind’ programme by providing a more intensive and deeper level post-college training through Xodus Academy.
The academy will provide paid training opportunities for priority groups, in partnership with offshore wind developers.
Ironworkers Local 7 union will enhance its ability to support members and recruit new workers into the trade, helping the state fill gaps in the emerging offshore wind workforce.
The project will provide Global Wind Organization (GWO) certification and recertification for 66 apprentices and/or journeypersons, including salary compensation for time taken off work during trainings.
Ironworkers Local 7 also plans to purchase equipment to establish a Hytorc tool certification programme at their Boston training facility.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy will develop and offer a 40-hour Basic Seamanship course for the Pile Drivers and Divers union and will expand its existing GWO-certified course offerings to include basic technical training, advanced rescue training and enhanced first aid.
Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council and Building Pathways South will provide GWO safety training and offshore wind 101 education through Massachusetts Maritime Academy for 100 union members spanning across various skilled trades.
The project will also provide 50 union members with DEIJ training.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Clean Energy Extension will expand their OSW Professional Certificate programme.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will extend career relevant paid internship and experiential learning opportunities to students in offshore wind relevant academic programmes at UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College.
University of Massachusetts Lowell will provide OSHA 30‐hour construction safety and general industry training to university students seeking employment in the offshore wind energy industry.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said: “With several major offshore wind projects in various stages of approval and construction, it is crucial we have a qualified, well-trained, and diverse homegrown workforce that is ready to enter the industry.
“The Offshore Wind Works Program, coupled with other efforts like the Forward Act, will support the Commonwealth in developing a workforce capable of contributing to the industry.”