The Challenge: Create an Offshore Wind Workforce
With the construction of the Vineyard Wind 1 project having commenced offshore in 2022 and other projects queued up to follow—including SouthCoast Wind, there is an increasingly urgent need to ensure that there is a qualified, well-trained, safe and diverse workforce to plan, build, operate, and maintain these projects.
About Offshore Wind Works
By supporting a network of training providers, academic institutions, community-based organizations and more, Offshore Wind Works (OSWW) is expanding the Commonwealth’s capacity to develop a Massachusetts workforce that can plan, deploy, operate, and maintain offshore wind farms in southern New England, as well as support the manufacturing of offshore wind components and its related supply chain. The program offers up to $1 million per project for “infrastructure” projects that construct or upgrade workforce- or training-related equipment, technology, and/or facilities to better meet the needs of the industry and their specific program. OSWW offers up to $300,000 for other types of workforce development projects, including training programs, programs with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ) focus, or studies related to workforce, worker safety, or diversity in the offshore wind industry.
MassCEC recommends that each proposal include DEIJ elements in the form of goals, incentives, specific tasks, and funding allocations designed to broaden access to training programs for underserved individuals.
This funding round seeks specifically to advance projects and initiatives that relate to one or more of the following focus areas:
- Skilled Trades
- Career and Technical Education
- Secondary and Higher Education
- Infrastructure
- Worker Safety
Funding Schedule
Responses must be submitted via email to offshorewind@masscec.com by 5:00 PM EST on April 28, 2023. The words “2023 Offshore Wind Workforce Solicitation Application” must appear in the email subject line.
Notification of Award date is subject to change at MassCEC’s discretion.
For planning purposes, applicants should use September 1, 2023, as an estimated start date.
| Process Step | Timing |
|---|---|
Release of Solicitation |
February 17, 2023 |
March 3, 2023 |
|
Questions due to MassCEC via email at offshorewind@masscec.com |
March 8, 2023 |
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website |
March 15, 2023 |
Proposals Due |
April 28, 2023 by 5:00 PM EST |
Notification of Award |
June 2023 |
Contracting Process |
Summer/Fall 2023 |
Who's Eligible
Applicants may be an individual company, organization, or institution, or may be a team of such entities. Applicants are encouraged to engage with, partner with, and/or demonstrate support from the offshore wind industry, including developers and other companies, and/or Massachusetts-based training or educational providers with existing programs. The lead applicant must fall into at least one of the following categories:
- A community-based nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status and located in Massachusetts
- A public government entity
- An accredited Massachusetts school
- An accredited Massachusetts higher education institution offering two- or four-year degrees
- A local labor union
- An established private workforce training provider or other private company doing business in Massachusetts in partnership with an organization, entity, school, institution, or union that falls under one of the categories listed above
For full Program details, please refer to the Solicitation
Apply
Application Process
Complete all application materials in the list to the right and submit via email to offshorewind@masscec.com by 5:00 PM EST on April 28, 2023.
The words “2023 Offshore Wind Workforce Solicitation Application” must appear in the email subject line.
Application Materials
Networking
MassCEC is compiling a list of potential applicants interested in networking and partnerships for the open OSWW grant. View the list here.
Sign up to the partnership list by sending your contact name, contact info, type of organization, and chosen focus area(s) to offshorewind@masscec.com.
Webinar: OSWW Workforce Grants
Learn about the Offshore Wind Works Workforce Grants, including eligibility, budget, and the application process. Watch a webinar recording or view the accompanying slides.