Workforce Training and Development
The new U.S. offshore wind industry needs a large, diverse, and skilled workforce. The training and development of an offshore wind workforce ensures local residents have the expertise and credentials they need to access new, high-quality job opportunities in this emerging industry. Through investments, technical assistance, and facilitation, MassCEC is supporting a range of essential, innovative, and thoughtful programs and projects that are training and educating Massachusetts workers for jobs in offshore wind.
Workforce Development Grants
MassCEC has invested over $11.2 million in growing the offshore wind workforce through training programs, educational programs, and infrastructure projects. Through five rounds of funding, we've awarded 43 grants to 24 unique organizations.
Offshore Wind Works Community of Practice
MassCEC is building a comprehensive ecosystem of training providers, educational institutions, community development organizations, and others who work collaboratively to develop training and educational pathways into and through the offshore wind industry.
Find Your Career in Offshore Wind
Offshore wind is an exciting new industry in the United States. Tens of thousands of new workers are needed to build, maintain, and operate the infrastructure that will soon provide power up and down the east coast. You may already have the expertise the industry is seeking! If not, training programs are available to get you started and help you advance. Use our Clean Energy Career Pathways tool to find a training program near you!
Supply Chain
MassCEC curates a list of local suppliers, contractors and manufacturers that serve the offshore wind industry. All listings are reviewed and approved by MassCEC staff before being published. Search the directory, list your company, or both!
Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment and Development Support - Final Report
Xodus Group, in partnership with BW Research, Inc. and MassCEC, have collaborated on this study to achieve the objective of putting forth a comprehensive offshore wind supply chain assessment and gap analysis for MA and the southern New England region, based on the requirements of both Developers and OEM/Tier 1's, and the capabilities, qualifications and interest of MA companies and neighboring states.
Ports and Infrastructure
Massachusetts' ports and harbors feature numerous waterside facilities, many of which have potential to be repurposed to meet the needs of the new offshore wind industry. In 2022, MassCEC ran a "Ports Challenge," which resulted in $180 million of investments in offshore wind port facilities in multiple communities. MassCEC previously performed infrastructure assessments on several coastal properties that are ideally situated to support the growing offshore wind industry.
Offshore Wind Workforce Training & Development in Massachusetts Reports
2023 Massachusetts Clean Energy Workforce Needs Assessment
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the clean energy workforce needed to meet the state’s ambitious 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, coupled with strategies to expand and diversify the clean energy workforce.
2021 Report
This 2021 report studied the specific workforce needs for Massachusetts offshore wind projects. The key finding is the focus on where jobs should be created: The report identified "priority communities" where workforce training efforts must concentrate, based on equity and need. Analysis focused primarily on the workers needed for construction, installation, and long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) jobs. MassCEC uses these findings to shape future workforce initiatives, identify clear career pathways, and ensure equity in the entire offshore wind build-out.
2018 Report
This report analyzed the workforce needs and economic impact of 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind. It cataloged all jobs (planning, construction, servicing) and the skills required for them. The main focus was to identify strategies to ensure Massachusetts residents get these jobs and to position the Commonwealth and labor groups to develop this new workforce.