Ørsted and partner Rowan College of South Jersey announced Tuesday a first-of-its-kind offshore wind training initiative, Wind Power Ready: Atlantic City (WPR:AC).

The new workforce development program will recruit, train and place local candidates in careers as wind farm technicians with Ørsted and other developers within the burgeoning offshore wind sector.

The May 2 announcement in Atlantic City brought together other stakeholders as well, including the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC), Center for Family Services, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the City of Atlantic City.

“Ørsted is proud to launch this windfarm technician job training program, which is aimed at recruiting Atlantic City residents and creating a pathway to high-quality careers in offshore wind,” said Erik Antokal, director of workforce development, Ørsted, as he kicked off the event. “This has been a deliberate and collaborative effort between so many important stakeholders, including local leaders, community partners, higher education representatives, members of our AC team, and Ørsted leadership who have really co-created this program.”

Ørsted says it is immediately seeking to identify up to 24 candidates for the program with applications available here and are due by June 5.

Applicants must be over the age of 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, and be able to travel away from home for up to two weeks at a time. Interested recruits will also be required to pass a math and reading aptitude assessment during the application process.

While any New Jersey resident is eligible, Ørsted officials said priority will be given to Atlantic City residents, with the bulk of recruitment efforts and information sessions centered on the city.

And, the company says there will be a particular focus on training individuals from traditionally underserved populations, especially Black and brown communities and individuals that have been negatively impacted by the disproportionate effects of pollution and contamination on minority and low-income communities.

‘Expanding what we offer’

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. said this program fits in line with his administration’s vision of continuing education and providing opportunities that would not normally exist in the city.

“With this announcement here today, our residents are ready to take those high-paying jobs,” said Small. “Here in the great city of Atlantic City, we always talk about new industries. What does that look like? Expanding what we offer. We’re always going to be a casino town, but we can’t rely on [just] that anymore.”

Small pointed to the recent opening of Atlantic City’s first cannabis dispensary as an example of diversifying the economy, and said that offshore wind provides another opportunity toward that effort.

“The city is eager to partner with all the stakeholders to provide this prime opportunity for residents,” said Small. “As mayor of the great city of Atlantic City, you have my support and commitment that we will make sure that Atlantic City residents not only start the program but finish the program and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Accepted students will be notified by the end of June. The training program is expected to start in late July and run until just before Christmas.

Ørsted says it is committed to hiring at least 40% of incoming Ocean Wind 1 wind farm technicians from the first pool of WPR:AC graduates in early 2024, offering a direct pathway into a potential career in this growing sector.

“Wind Power Ready was custom created to offer training, support and career opportunity for residents of Atlantic City and New Jersey who wish to become a part of the region’s green energy evolution, while earning family-sustaining incomes,” said Maddy Urbish, Ørsted’s head of government affairs and market strategy, New Jersey. “Ørsted is committed to bringing both clean energy and economic benefits to New Jersey, while prioritizing the communities that have historically been left behind.

“As we prepare to use the WPR model for our other U.S. wind farms, we are delighted that Atlantic City will be home to one of the first rounds of entry-level offshore wind technicians hired here in the U.S., and the very first to be hired in New Jersey. The Ørsted team is grateful to each of our local partners who have helped to develop this program to maximize its impact for Atlantic City residents,” she said.

Students will be paid $15 per hour while enrolled in the six-month, full-time training program in addition to being connected with supportive services including transportation, child care, housing, counseling and more. Ørsted says the program – including application fees, travel, personal protective equipment and tuition – is free to students.

Any students who successfully make it through and are hired as entry-level wind farm technicians will receive salaries of at least $65,000 per year, plus benefits.

The job potential within the offshore wind industry is extensive and long-term, especially in New Jersey.
— Frederick Keating, president, Rowan College of South Jersey

The program is being supported through grant funds from Ørsted, the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training through the NJEDA, the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Supportive services will be provided by the Center for Family Services.

Basic training will take place in both Atlantic City and Sewell, overseen by Rowan College of South Jersey, while safe and sea survival training will be run by ACCC through its new Wind Training Center.

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“We are pleased to partner with Ørsted to make this program possible for South Jersey community members seeking exciting and unique job-training opportunities,” said Frederick Keating, president of Rowan College of South Jersey. “The job potential within the offshore wind industry is extensive and long-term, especially in New Jersey. We are eager to share this information with the public so we can meet with potential applicants and begin their training promptly.”

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said that New Jersey is quickly establishing itself as a hub of offshore wind economic development, with Atlantic City serving as a pivotal center for operations and maintenance activities.

“A core part of our strategy is to implement programs that recruit, educate, and train local residents on the specific skills needed to grow with this industry,” said Sullivan. “Wind Power Ready will do just that by providing hands-on training and support services to connect New Jerseyans to career opportunities in offshore wind.”

Jen Becker, NJEDA vice president of offshore wind, said the program is an incredible opportunity, describing it as intentional in exposing people to new career opportunities, along with its recruitment, firsthand training and wraparound services.

“It’s one thing to recruit people for a program. It’s another thing to have a program that is thinking about all the factors you need,” Becker told NJBIZ after the press conference. “And not just get someone to sign up for a program but to successfully complete the program. We’re really proud of it. It’s a really fantastic model that we’re excited about.”

The first information session is May 4 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Community Baptist Church in Atlantic City. Similar recruitment events will continue throughout May.

“I believe that this particular work program can supply participants with lifelong tools and success,” Small added. “I encourage interested residents to attend an information session to see if this program is a good fit for them.”