“It’s Never Too Late to Change” – Vera Quinlan’s Journey into Offshore Wind

05 January 2026

Vera Quinlan, Marine Scientist INFOMAR Marine Institute, recommends looking at micro-credentials to upskill in a specific area.

If you’ve been thinking about upskilling or even pivoting careers this New Year, you’re not alone. Many professionals are realising that short, focused learning can open new opportunities without the need for a full degree. One of the Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy learners, Vera Quinlan shares her journey:

“The potential that I might have to my change career in mid-life felt hugely daunting to me, especially when juggling work, family, and financial commitments. But deciding to ‘make it happen’ became one of the most energising and empowering choices I’ve made in recent years. Very few of us stay in the same job - or even the same field - for our entire working lives. Sometimes we outgrow a role; sometimes an industry shifts; and sometimes we simply need a new challenge. Whatever the motivation, a career change is entirely achievable with the right approach.”

She highlights the importance of recognising your existing skills:

“The first step is to honestly assess your skills, both the technical ones you’ve built through work and the transferable ones that apply across sectors: communication, project management, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability. Many people underestimate how valuable these broader skills are, particularly in emerging industries like renewable energy, environmental assessment, and data-driven roles.”

For professionals looking to gain targeted knowledge quickly, micro-credentials can make the difference:

“The next step is exploring targeted upskilling. You don’t need a full degree to pivot professionally. Micro-credentials, short courses, and flexible online programmes allow you to gain the exact knowledge you need without stepping out of the workforce. For me, completing a specialist offshore wind EIAR course while juggling work and parenting was not only possible - it was transformative. The structure made it manageable, and the content immediately applicable.”

On the broader value of micro-credentials:

“Micro-credentials have surged in popularity in recent years because they offer precisely what modern learners and industries need: focused, flexible, career-relevant training that can be completed in short, manageable bursts. For people already balancing full-time work, caring responsibilities, or irregular offshore schedules, micro-credentials allow them to upskill without committing to a full degree programme. Most can be completed asynchronously, at the learner’s pace, over a matter of weeks.”

Their rapid growth is being driven by shifting workforce demands. Sectors like offshore wind, marine spatial planning, environmental assessment, digital operations, and renewable energy engineering are expanding quickly and require highly specialised skills. Employers increasingly value demonstrable, job-ready competencies - GIS proficiency, offshore safety knowledge, environmental impact assessment skills, marine data literacy, or understanding of regulatory frameworks - rather than broad academic coverage.”

“Their greatest advantages are flexibility and industry alignment. Learners can build a personalised, stackable portfolio over time, gradually assembling credentials that support progression into new roles or even entirely new careers. For employers, they offer a way to cultivate workforce capability without requiring long absences or full-degree commitments. In an accelerating renewables sector, micro-credentials are helping people pivot, progress, and participate in a rapidly growing green economy.”

If you’re considering a career step in offshore wind or environmental assessment this year, Vera’s experience shows it’s entirely possible even in mid-career to upskill, pivot, and grow with micro-credentials.

View our micro-credential courses here!