Carve out a career in the wind energy sector

Ireland stands on the cusp of energy transformation. Offshore wind will soon be at the heart of our transition to a cleaner, greener economy, helping us meet our net-zero commitments, reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, and achieve energy independence.

It has never been more crucial to invest in sustainable, renewable resources. Ireland is making progress.

Our monthly Wind Energy Report for March showed that Irish wind farms provided 38% of the country’s electricity in the first quarter of 2025, and this past July saw the third-highest wind generation on record.

That progress is encouraging, but to strengthen the development of Ireland’s offshore wind sector and deliver our net-zero commitments, we need to equip Ireland’s workforce with essential specialised skills for priority roles which will be at the heart of our energy revolution.

This is where micro-credential courses come in. These are compact, flexible, university-accredited programmes designed to allow professionals to build targeted skills without stepping out of their careers.

For mid-level professionals in fields like construction, engineering, marine sciences, or data analysis, they provide a pathway into a fast-growing industry that combines excellent career prospects with the chance to make a real difference.

A recent report from Green Tech Skillnet estimated that the Irish offshore wind sector could be worth at least €38 billion to the Irish economy by 2050. But this will only happen if we build a workforce with the right expertise.

Right now, too many of these critical skills, from offshore project management to marine ecology, are in short supply domestically. Unless Ireland acts quickly, we risk depending on overseas talent and missing out on the full economic opportunities from offshore wind energy.

Other countries are not waiting. In the UK, the Offshore Wind Industry Council projects the workforce must grow from around 32,000 jobs today to more than 104,000 by 2030.

In Denmark, the offshore wind sector alone is expected to require 120,000 skilled workers by 2030, with industry-backed vocational pathways, such as the new wind-electrician apprenticeship, already in place to train the next generation.

Ireland is not alone in facing a skills gap, but we are in danger of falling behind.

This is why Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy, a national initiative developed by Skillnet Ireland in partnership with Wind Energy Ireland, launched 12 new university-accredited micro-credential courses, specifically designed to address the priority roles most urgently needed.

If you have been considering a change in career to offshore wind, but have worried about lacking the relevant qualifications, now is your chance.

A misconception of the offshore wind sector is that you require years of specialised, niche experience to transition into the sector. That is simply not the case.

Micro-credential courses augment and complement your current experience in adjacent fields. A civil engineer, for example, can add offshore project management skills. A marine biologist can build expertise in environmental impact assessments specific to offshore wind. An IT professional can specialise in geospatial data for renewable energy.

This is not about replacing traditional qualifications. It is about complementing them, creating pathways into offshore wind that are accessible, flexible, and aligned to the reality of people’s lives.

The launch of these micro-credential courses, supported by Ministers James Lawless TD and Marian Harkin TD, is a signal of how seriously Government and industry are taking the skills challenge. But delivering the workforce we need will require collective effort.

So, for professionals, if you are considering your next career step, I urge you to explore these opportunities. Offshore wind is not only about clean energy, it is about future-proofed careers with global relevance.

For employers, investing in staff through these courses is not just a matter of corporate responsibility, it is a strategic investment in the growth and resilience of your teams.

Companies that prioritise upskilling now will build the expertise, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive as the offshore wind industry expands.

And, for policymakers, continued support for micro-credentials is vital. Funding, promotion and integration into national skills strategies will determine whether Ireland builds the workforce it needs in time.

Professionals considering their next career step now have a range of options across the country, with new university-accredited micro-credential courses available in Galway, Dublin and here in Cork, where there is such a strong maritime tradition.

These courses, beginning in late 2025, provide accessible and practical pathways for mid-career professionals to transition into the offshore wind sector.

By choosing to upskill in Cork, participants will be positioning themselves at the forefront of Ireland’s clean energy future while contributing directly to the growth of a sector that is central to our net-zero ambitions.

Details of all courses are available at www.skillnetoffshorewindacademy.ie