With the global shift towards sustainable solutions, the importance—and demand—of offshore wind energy is rapidly growing. Jersey Renews hosted their annual Time for Turbines event to promote renewable energy education, expansion and collaboration within the state. The event featured speakers and panelists from state government officials, wind developers and labor leaders to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Touring Cutting-Edge Training at Time for Turbines 7

This year’s Time for Turbines 7 event offered a tour of the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenter Technical Centers’ (EASCTC) Carpenters Diver Training Center (ISC) in Sicklerville, NJ. Participants learned about the necessary training needed to prepare workers, and explored the state-of-the-art facility, including a dive tank, advanced classrooms, and a decompression chamber.

The Diver Training Center offers a 16-week commercial diving course and also apprenticeship classes in underwater welding, burning and subsurface construction. Certifications are provided through the Global Wind Organisation and the Association of Diving Contractors Inc. (ACDI)

The program prepares skilled construction workers for job opportunities in emerging industries like offshore wind. The facility is the first union-owned and operated dive school in the country, and is the first in the United States to achieve multiple accreditations from the Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind (COE) and the ACDI.

Growing Opportunities for Union Labor in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there are growing opportunities for union carpenters, driven by developers’ commitments to employ union labor. For example, Atlantic Shores is advancing its 1,510MW project, and two additional offshore wind awards have been granted to Invenergy and energyRE, along with Attentive Energy LLC. These projects are expected to add 3,742MW to the state’s energy capacity and power 2.5 million New Jersey homes. With the training provided by the Carpenters Diver Training Center, union carpenters are well-prepared to meet the demands of these projects and take a leading role in New Jersey’s clean energy sector.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Christopher Ace, a Millwrights Council Representative for the Eastern Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, had the opportunity to share insights at a Time for Turbines 7 panel on the future of offshore wind and the role of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) skilled workforce. He highlighted how the UBC’s highly trained tradespeople are at the forefront of America’s renewable energy expansion. With additional training opportunities on the horizon, including a new wind turbine at the EASCTC Hammonton location, UBC members are well-prepared to meet industry needs.

Supporting A Sustainable Future

Actively supporting and participating in renewable energy initiatives is essential for a sustainable future. The expertise and leadership of skilled tradespeople are vital in driving the advancement of innovative energy solutions. It is key for all decision makers to champion these efforts to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable environment for generations to come.