This summer, the Virginia Chapter sponsored a series of webinars exploring the broad array of job opportunities for Virginians, and the educational and training programs supporting Virginia’s entrance into this exciting new industry. See below for a listing of topics and speakers, along with links to full video recordings of each webinar and links to each speaker's presentation.
Researchers estimate that a full build-out of the offshore wind industry can create over 14,000 jobs in Virginia. These are high-paying, local, long-term jobs that can employ a broad range of Virginians including people in low-income communities, high school and college grads, returning citizens, and veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce.
Webinar #1: Introduction to Virginia offshore wind development, lay on the land
Date: Thurs., May 21, 3-4:30 pm
Click here for video recording of this webinar
This introductory webinar provides the basic background information on where Virginia stands with offshore wind development and why it matters. Presenters will provide insight into meeting Virginia’s 100% clean energy goals, the tremendous opportunity with offshore wind to create tens of thousands of career-length, family-supporting jobs for Virginians, and OSW capacities to reinvent Hampton Roads as a clean energy industry leader.
Facilitator:
Eileen Woll, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
Speakers:
Matt Smith, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Mark Mitchell, Dominion Energy (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Hayes Framme, Ørsted (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Craig Poff, Avangrid Renewables (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Jon Rosenberger, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Webinar #2: Pre-assembly and installation jobs
Date: Wed., May 27, 3-4:30 pm
Click here for video recording of this webinar
This webinar provides an overview of the jobs associated with the offshore wind supply chain including production of turbine blades and foundations, building the vessels supporting offshore wind, port infrastructure readiness, and environmental and engineering jobs.
Facilitator:
Katharine Kollins, Southeastern Wind Coalition
Speakers:
Jens Moeller, Siemens Gamesa (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Vance Hull, Colonna’s Shipyard (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Chris Gullickson, Port of Virginia (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Elena Starchenko, Fugro (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Webinar #3: Training and educational opportunities supporting offshore wind in Virginia
Date: Tues., June 2, 3-4:30 pm
Click here for video recording of this webinar
This webinar presents the current and future job training programs and educational opportunities supporting offshore wind development, the skills and certifications necessary to enter this exciting new industry here right now in Virginia. As the final webinar in the series, next steps will be outlined to include discussion on Virginia’s development of a workforce and 100% clean energy plans.
Facilitator:
Jennifer Palestrant, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME)
Speakers:
Sandra Weber, Tidewater Community College (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Elizabeth Smith, Old Dominion University (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Joel A. English, Centura College (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Jason Parker, Virginia Building and Trades Union (link to pdf of slide presentation)
Barbara Washer, Virginia Ship Repair Association (link to pdf of slide presentation)