25/11/2021 | Offshore wind

New group launched to attract thousands of former military personnel to new careers in offshore wind

25 November 2021 - Offshore Wind Industry Council media release 


A new industry group has been launched to support the transition of more ex-servicemen and women to the UK’s offshore wind industry where they can play a vital role in helping the country reach net zero.


To ensure the UK meets its clean energy targets, a massive increase in offshore wind capacity will be needed in the years ahead, generating tens of thousands of green jobs. The industry already employs 26,000 people in the UK and this is set to increase to 69,000 over the next five years alone.


Around 14,000 people leave the Armed Forces every year and many have relevant skills for the offshore wind sector, as the UK accelerates the pace of its Just Transition from fossil fuels to clean power sources.


The industry is determined to ensure it recognises the value which former serving military personnel bring. The Offshore Wind Industry Council’s (OWIC) Military Working Group brings together industry leaders to build a diverse workforce including former service personnel to meet the net zero challenge.


The group will promote solutions to ensure ex-servicemen and women are fully aware of employment opportunities by offering easily accessible advice and guidance to them. It will also develop a network of ex-military personnel now working in the offshore wind industry to support each other, and advise governments and decision-makers on policy and training requirements.


Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty MP, said: “Military service gives you skills for life. This fantastic initiative will provide service leavers and veterans with opportunities to help them find employment as they leave the military, whilst working towards this country’s efforts to achieve net zero.”


RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Melanie Onn, who leads the Offshore Wind Industry Council’s People and Skills work, said: “People of all ages who’ve worked in the armed forces can bring valuable skills and experience to the offshore wind industry at the very time when we need them most to help us to scale up to meet net zero as fast as possible. The UK’s offshore wind capacity is set to quadruple in this decade alone.


“The new Military Working Group, which includes representatives from the biggest companies in our sector, will highlight new career paths for ex-servicemen and women and work with them to identify the training they need to make the transition. The industry has a huge variety of roles to offer from turbine technicians to project managers”.  


Colin Brown of Aker Offshore Wind, chair of the Military Working Group, said: “This is a vital step in future-proofing our industry. There is going to be an unprecedented increase in the offshore wind workforce, and we need people coming in at all levels, from diverse backgrounds and with different experiences, skills and competencies.


“The new group is an opportunity for us to give credible support for those leaving service or transitioning from other industries. Those who have served for the UK armed forces can play a key role in our route to net zero.”


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Notes


The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) is a senior Government and industry forum established in 2013 to drive the development of the world-leading offshore wind sector in the UK. 


The Military Working Group will meet on 7th December, following an introductory meeting on 19th October.


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