The transition to a green economy in Europe faces a significant challenge: the need to recruit and train over 200,000 additional workers for the wind industry by 2030. Currently, the sector employs 370,000 people, but this number is expected to reach 600,000 in six years, driven by an expansion of wind energy capacity from 225 GW to 425 GW.
To address this skills gap, the European Union and WindEurope are working on key initiatives:
- Educational alignment: Promoting the integration of wind energy into educational curricula through roundtables and collaboration between governments, schools, and international organizations such as UNESCO.
- Specific training: WindEurope develops educational resources, including a MOOC for teachers and interactive materials on its LearnWind platform, tailored for different age groups.
- Innovative projects: Initiatives like SKILLWIND and FLORES aim to retrain workers from other industries, while programs such as Work4Wind connect refugees with jobs in the sector.
The challenge is not only technical but also cultural: attracting young people and professionals to pursue careers in clean energy. STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and vocational training will be fundamental in ensuring an inclusive and successful green transition.
Europe faces a great challenge, but with coordinated efforts between industry, education, and public policies, the growth of the wind sector promises to be a key pillar for decarbonization and energy competitiveness in the continent.