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Grants from MassCEC support workforce recruitment, training, and infrastructure through Massachusetts colleges and universities, businesses, labor unions, and nonprofits
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $3.5 million in grants for offshore wind workforce infrastructure, recruitment, and training in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is awarding seven organizations funding through its Offshore Wind Works Program to advance the preparedness and capabilities of the state’s workforce.
“Offshore wind workers are on the frontlines of our climate change response – building the infrastructure we need to deploy affordable clean energy to communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our neighbors, friends, and family members will be the workers that power this new industry, and we’re committed to making sure they have the tools and resources they need to embark on fulfilling careers.”
“From community colleges to unions, it’s imperative that we support the groups on the ground training the clean energy workforce we need to meet our climate goals,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is going to be a workforce that reflects Massachusetts, and our Administration is hard at work paving new pathways to clean energy careers for young professionals, fossil fuel workers, and individuals from previously underserved communities.”
“From Amherst to Buzzards Bay, these organizations are driving the transformation of offshore wind careers, making them more accessible and attractive to job seekers in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Offshore wind will provide clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the state, and the workers fueling this industry will be the heroes of our clean energy transition.”
“Massachusetts needs to mobilize over 34,000 additional workers to meet our climate goals, and offshore wind is poised to become our largest source of clean energy,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “MassCEC is supporting this industry through key investments in infrastructure, innovation, and workforce development. We’re investing in offshore wind port infrastructure in New Bedford and Salem, and we’re investing in people through programs like Offshore Wind Works. The organizations awarded today are building an equitable workforce that will have the skills and talent to make Massachusetts the national hub for the emerging East Coast offshore wind industry.”
The Offshore Wind Works program awards will help Massachusetts grow its local workforce to support the construction, assembly, deployment, installation, and operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms in southern New England. The grants will also support local manufacturing of offshore wind components and the related supply chain.
With the construction of the Vineyard Wind 1 project well underway and the recent bids received under Massachusetts’ fourth competitive offshore wind procurement, the need for workforce development is greater.
Including the awards announced today, MassCEC’s Offshore Wind Works Program has provided nearly $15 million to 26 organizations since 2017.
The seven organizations receiving funding are:
Bristol Community College’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) – (New Bedford) Through two awards, Bristol will expand the training offerings at the NOWI to include: Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Control of Hazardous Energies, GWO Crane and Hoist Training, and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET).
Award amount: $300,000 and $150,000
Ironworkers Local 7 – (Boston) The Ironworkers Local 7, in partnership with Local 37, will send a total of eighty-six members to receive their GWO Basic Safety Training certification and recertification, HUET training, or Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) training.
Award amount: $300,000
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension (MassMEP) – (Auburn) MassMEP is leading an initiative to provide training to justice-involved individuals and members of underrepresented communities through a 280-hour entry-level program that will cover basic manufacturing competencies. MassCEC’s funding will enable the Pathways to Production program to place some of those individuals in on-the-job training opportunities at offshore wind manufacturing companies.
Award amount: $300,000
Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) – (Buzzards Bay) Massachusetts Maritime Academy will design, permit, and build a HUET training unit in their existing Olympic-sized pool. HUET has become increasingly important to the offshore wind workforce as the frequency of use of helicopters to transport workers offshore has increased.
Award amount: $2,000,000
North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (NASCTF) – (Millbury) NASCTF will send 16 Pile Driver Apprentices for Commercial Diver training and 20 journey-level divers for remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot/technician training at the Eastern Atlantic Carpenters Commercial Diver Training Center in New Jersey.
Award amount: $291,900
Semco Maritime Offshore Windservice – (Vineyard Haven) Semco will work with local community partners to identify and hire three candidates for an offshore wind technician position within their company.
Award amount: $61,604
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clean Energy Extension – (Amherst) UMass Amherst will continue to offer the Career Access Scholarship to scholars from underrepresented populations who are interested in completing the Offshore Wind Professional Certificate Program. The grant will support the financial aid and professional development of at least 12 scholarship students.
Award amount: $147,555
About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts.
Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded over $650 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.5 billion in private and federal capital.