Ask the Expert: What You Need to Know Before Starting a Career in Wind Energy
The global wind energy sector faces a massive, historic workforce shortage, making it one of the most lucrative industries for job seekers and career-switchers.
A report from GWEC claims the industry will require over 628,000 highly trained wind technicians globally by 2030 to install, operate, and maintain expanding onshore and offshore fleets. Strikingly, over 40% of these technicians must be entirely new entrants to the industry, opening up a massive window of opportunity for adults, engineers, and tradespeople looking to pivot into the green economy.
What does it actually take to break into this booming global field, and what should you know before taking the leap?
We sat down with Frank Emil Moen, CEO and Managing Partner of Energy Innovation, a leading international provider of Global Wind Organisation (GWO) certified training and workforce development.
With decades of experience building practice-based educational pathways for the wind sector, Frank shares his expert insights on the certifications you need, what the job looks like on the ground, and how to position yourself for a long-term global career.
Q: Is wind energy a good long-term career choice?
Frank: Absolutely. Wind energy isn’t a short-term trend; it’s a core pillar of global decarbonisation strategies. Governments and private investors are committing heavily to both onshore and offshore wind, which is driving sustained demand for skilled people. While policy decisions can influence the pace of development, the overall direction is clear: wind energy will continue to grow for decades to come.
Salaries are competitive, particularly for offshore and specialist roles. Just as importantly, there are clear progression pathways. As projects scale up, there’s growing demand for supervisors, managers, trainers and technical specialists. Wind skills are also highly transferable internationally, which opens the door to global career opportunities.
Q: What types of roles are available in the wind sector?
Frank: One of the biggest misconceptions is that wind energy is only about turbine technicians. In reality, it’s a diverse and interconnected ecosystem. There are roles in engineering, operations and maintenance, project management, health and safety, marine and logistics, digital and data, training, and leadership. Some roles are hands-on and offshore, while others are office-based or hybrid, and many people move between these areas as their careers progress.
Frank Emil Moen, CEO/ Managing Partner, Energy InnovationWhat employers really look for is competence, strong safety awareness, and a willingness to keep learning. "
Q: What is the working environment like,
particularly for offshore roles?
Frank: Offshore wind can be demanding, but it can also be very rewarding. Rotational working patterns are common, with extended periods offshore followed by extended time off. That suits some people extremely well, but it’s not for everyone. Onshore and office-based roles tend to follow more traditional working patterns. The most important thing is being realistic about what fits your lifestyle and family commitments.
Safety is taken very seriously across the sector. Wind has learned a great deal from industries like oil and gas and maritime, particularly around safety management and competence. There’s a strong emphasis on training, procedures and safety culture. It is still a high-risk environment, especially offshore, so maintaining skills and following processes is essential. Encouragingly, mental health and wellbeing are also receiving much greater attention.
Q: How is technology changing jobs in the wind industry?
Frank: Rapidly. Digitalisation, remote monitoring, automation and data analytics are transforming how wind farms are operated and maintained. While some manual tasks are reducing, new roles are emerging around diagnostics, data analysis and digital systems. People who combine technical expertise with digital skills will be particularly well-positioned for the future.
Q: Many people are drawn to wind for sustainability reasons. Does the work live up to that promise?
Frank: In my experience, it does, as long as expectations are realistic. Wind energy plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, and that sense of purpose is genuine for many people in the industry. At the same time, companies still face commercial and operational pressures. The strongest organisations are those that are transparent about these challenges and actively work to align business performance with environmental and social responsibility.
Frank Emil Moen, CEO/ Managing Partner, Energy InnovationIn most cases, it’s not about starting again, but about mapping existing competence into a new context and filling a few specific training gaps. "
Q: Where can people thinking of a career change get reliable, industry-relevant knowledge?
Frank: That’s a really important question, because the quality of information people rely on early in their journey can shape their whole career path. Anyone considering wind energy needs sources that reflect how the industry actually operates today, not outdated assumptions or overly simplified messaging.
One good place to start is structured learning that’s been developed in close collaboration with industry. The new courses we recently created by Mintra are a good example of this approach. They’re designed to provide clear, up-to-date and practical insight into both onshore and offshore wind, with a strong visual structure that helps learners build understanding step by step.
The courses are particularly useful for entry-level technicians or those transitioning from sectors such as maritime, offshore oil and gas or construction, as well as for managers or professionals who need a rounded overview of the wind sector’s economic, environmental and social impact. They’re also relevant for educators, students and people working in public administration.
What learners gain is clarity. They come away with a better understanding of workforce opportunities in wind, how their existing skills can transfer into renewable roles, the environmental and social benefits of wind power, and the technical fundamentals of turbine operation and wind farm development. The three interconnected modules can be taken individually or together, allowing people to build reliable knowledge at a pace that suits their role and career stage.
Frank Emil Moen, CEO/ Managing Partner, Energy InnovationWhat employers really look for is competence, strong safety awareness, and a willingness to keep learning. "
Q: What advice would you give someone trying to get their foot in the door?
Frank: Do your research and be clear about the type of role you’re aiming for. Speak to people already working in the industry and tailor your training and applications accordingly, rather than collecting certificates without a clear plan. Transferable skills from other safety-critical or technical industries are extremely valuable, and people often underestimate how relevant their existing experience really is.
Maritime and oil and gas professionals are very well placed to transition into wind, particularly offshore wind. Experience working in safety-critical environments, following procedures, operating offshore and adapting to rotational work patterns translates extremely well. In most cases, it’s not about starting again, but about mapping existing competence into a new context and filling a few specific training gaps. With the right upskilling, maritime experience can be a significant advantage.
Q: What qualifications do I need to work in wind energy?
Frank: For many operational roles, Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training is a baseline requirement, especially offshore. Alongside that, electrical or mechanical qualifications, safety training, and role-specific competence frameworks are important. Increasingly, employers expect ongoing professional development and strong organisations recognise that this is something they should actively support.
Degrees are important for some roles, particularly in engineering or project management, but they’re not the only route in. Apprenticeships, vocational training and trade backgrounds are equally valuable. We see many successful transitions from sectors like oil and gas, maritime, construction, and electrical trades. What employers really look for is competence, strong safety awareness, and a willingness to keep learning.
Q: Finally, what kind of person thrives in the wind industry?
Frank: People who thrive tend to be adaptable, safety-focused and comfortable with change. Wind energy is evolving quickly, so curiosity and a willingness to upskill are essential. If you enjoy problem-solving, working as part of a team, and contributing to something with long-term impact, it can be a hugely rewarding career.
Interested in building or managing skills for the wind energy workforce? Mintra supports organisations and individuals with digital training, competence management and workforce development solutions tailored to the renewable energy sector.
Also available on Mintra.com are Energy Innovation courses introducing learners to the wind energy sector, which can be taken individually or as a bundle, covering topics from industry history and safety to technical components, commercial profitability, and environmental impact:
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