Over 6,500 new roles needed to deliver offshore wind - report

The report - Powering the Future 2030: Workforce Needs for Offshore Wind in the East of England – has been published by the EastWind Offshore Cluster and Opergy.

With a project pipeline totalling nearly 14 GW - comprising developments such as East Anglia Hub, North Falls, Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas, and Five Estuaries - the region is set to play a central role in achieving the UK’s 50GW offshore wind target by 2030. However, the report warns that this rapid growth is already placing severe pressure on the regional labour market.

In a statement, Mark Buckton, associate director – People & Skills at Opergy, said: "This is not a forecasting exercise - it’s a delivery challenge. Our modelling shows precisely when and where roles are needed. We now have the data, but turning it into action will require commitment from across the system.”

Key findings include:

Denise Hone, chair of the EastWind Cluster, said: "The East of England is already a national leader in offshore wind, but this report makes clear that delivery of the next generation of projects depends on people. We must act now to develop the talent pipeline through regional coordination, targeted funding, and partnerships across industry and education."
The report sets out 12 strategic actions for government, developers, and providers, including funding for instructor recruitment, reform of the Growth & Skills Levy, shared apprenticeship models, and curriculum alignment using the Energy Skills Intelligence Hub.