The UK offshore wind industry has set a target to employ 3000 new apprentices and create a more diverse workforce on the first anniversary of Sector Deal with the government.
The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) unveiled plans for the industry to create job opportunities for thousands of new apprentices and recruit more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees by 2030.
The industry is pledging to employ at least 3000 apprentices between now and the end of the decade.
They will work in a wide variety of jobs from turbine technicians and maintenance engineers to roles in management and finance, OWIC said
The sector also aims to lead the energy sector in BAME representation, setting a target of 9% of workforce made up of people from BAME groups and a stretch target of 12% by 2030.
OWIC said this compares with current BAME representation of 5% in the workforce of the energy sector overall.
The new apprentice and diversity targets will be announced at an event in the Houses of Parliament later today attended by the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Kwasi Kwarteng.
Kwarteng said: “The great success of offshore wind in the UK shows what can happen when government and industry work hand-in-hand.
“One year on from the sector deal, and in this Year of Climate Action, it’s great to see these new targets for minority ethnic workers and apprentices to make sure the opportunities provided by new green industries are shared far and wide.”
Support at the event will also be given by offshore wind companies to the Armed Forces Covenant which commits them to supporting former military personnel who have transferable skills to work in the sector.
OWIC industry chair and Orsted vice president UK offshore Benj Sykes said: “In the first year of the offshore wind Sector Deal we’ve made great progress on delivering our actions, with a host of new initiatives announced throughout the last 12 months to boost jobs, develop innovative new technology and increase the number of UK companies joining the offshore wind supply chain.
“We’re building the clean energy system of the future which will keep British homes, offices and factories powered up at the lowest cost in the decades ahead, attracting billions in investment and creating export opportunities for UK companies worldwide.
“And we’re playing a central role in helping the government to reach net zero emissions as fast as possible.”
Work on people and skills is being led by the Investment in Talent Group, set up as a result of the Sector Deal to increase the number of skilled people working in the sector and to promote diversity.
As well as lead on implementing these new targets, the Investment in Talent Group will also help the industry with its aim to double the proportion of women working in offshore wind to one-third by 2030.
RenewableUK chief executive Hugh McNeal said: “Offshore wind needs the most talented people from every part of society to fill the thousands of highly-skilled jobs we’re creating around the UK as a key part of the Sector Deal, especially in coastal communities, where economic regeneration is needed most.”