Building Ireland’s Offshore Wind Workforce: The Strategic Role of Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy

25 February 2026

Ireland’s offshore wind sector represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the State’s history. Delivering on 2030 climate targets, strengthening energy security and establishing a globally competitive renewable energy supply chain will require more than capital deployment and consenting reform. It requires capability development and workforce planning to ensure critical skills are available to ensure timely project delivery.

To support these ambitious climate objectives, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy was established as a response to the evolving workforce requirements of the offshore wind sector. Operating in alignment with Wind Energy Ireland, it is focused on ensuring that Ireland develops the depth and breadth of local required to deliver offshore wind projects in Ireland.

An Industry-Led Operating Model

Wind Energy Ireland’s Strategy 2026–2030 makes clear that workforce readiness is a critical enabler of offshore project delivery. Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy was created to meet that requirement: a national initiative dedicated to developing offshore wind capability, driven directly by industry demand.

A defining characteristic of Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy is its governance and programme design model. Training priorities are informed by continuous engagement with industry stakeholders active in Ireland’s offshore wind pipeline.

This ensures that:

• Course content reflects current market conditions and regulatory frameworks
• Programmes address identifiable skills gaps
• Learning outcomes align with real-world project requirements
• Employers can upskill teams with confidence in relevance and applicability

Offerings are also structured around industry-led career pathways, mapping the competencies required across key functions and identifying routes for new professionals or those transitioning from adjacent sectors. For experienced professionals in engineering, construction, maritime, utilities or environmental disciplines, this provides clarity on how existing expertise can translate into offshore wind roles and where targeted upskilling can accelerate progression.

Micro-Credentials for Experienced Professionals

Flexible and targeted programmes are essential for skills development of busy professionals with existing commitments. Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy’s micro-credential model responds directly to this need. Micro-credentials are short, accredited programmes focused on defined competencies relevant to offshore wind development and operations. They are designed to:

• Enable focused upskilling in high-demand areas
• Support career transition without requiring extended career breaks
• Help employers respond to clearly defined workforce capability needs.
• Be stackable towards broader professional development pathways

For professionals already operating in energy, infrastructure or maritime sectors, micro-credentials offer a pragmatic route to offshore wind readiness, enhancing sector-specific knowledge without duplicating existing expertise.

Why Professionals and Employers Train with Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy

For organisations and individuals evaluating offshore wind training options, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy stands out for multiple reasons:

Industry Aligned Content

All programmes are developed in consultation with active offshore wind stakeholders. This ensures technical accuracy, regulatory relevance, alignment with current project realities and ensures that critical skills gaps are met.

Targeted Skills Gap Mitigation

Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy’s remit focuses on addressing industry-identified critical skills shortages in line with Ireland’s phased offshore wind development. Training is therefore prioritised in areas of strategic importance as seen by industry stakeholders involved in real-life projects.

Heavily Subsidised Fees for Eligible Participants

Through Skillnet Ireland’s funding model, eligible trainees benefit from significant fee subsidies. This enables organisations to scale upskilling initiatives in a cost-effective manner while maintaining quality standards. Learn more about our eligibility criteria here.

Designed for Working Professionals

Delivery models across all courses recognise the operational demands placed on experienced professionals. Programmes are structured with flexibility to minimise disruption to existing work commitments, while still progressing towards new academic milestones.

Strategic Career Positioning

Participants gain not only technical knowledge but also a structured understanding of offshore wind career pathways to support informed career progression within a rapidly expanding sector. All micro-credentials are fully accredited on the National Qualification Framework (NFQ) and multiple micro-credentials can be stacked to build credits up to major awards.

Developing Capability at Scale

As offshore project timelines progress and supply chain requirements crystallise, the organisations and professionals who invest early in sector-specific upskilling programmes will be positioned to lead. Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy provides an industry-aligned, strategically informed route to offshore wind readiness - whether the objective is strengthening internal capability, addressing a defined skills gap or transitioning from an adjacent industry.

For senior decision-makers, HR leaders, engineers, environmental specialists, and commercial professionals seeking targeted, accredited upskilling, this offers a practical and cost-effective pathway to build Ireland’s offshore wind workforce. Explore offshore wind micro-credential courses here: https://skillnetoffshorewindacademy.ie/microcredential-courses/

For a more tailored approach, organisations can request a bespoke call with Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy Manager, Rachael McFarlane, to discuss your specific training objectives, identify priority skills gaps, and develop a structured upskilling plan aligned to your project pipeline and workforce strategy. Please contact [email protected] to request a call.