Wind energy industry launches new recruitment campaign aimed at young people

Wind Energy Ireland today launched their new ‘Work in Wind’ campaign at the 2023 Wind Energy Trade Show. At the new online platform, workinwind.ie, students and young people can find out more about the dozens of career opportunities open to them in Irish renewable energy.

Workinwind.ie highlights the need for thousands of workers in Ireland’s fastest growing energy industry.

More than 5,000 people are currently employed in the Irish wind energy industry but, as the race to achieve the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan accelerates, this number will much more than double by the end of the decade.

Workinwind.ie highlights the job opportunities in the sector, profiles real-life case studies of people working in the industry today and identifies clear career pathways through training programmes and third-level courses.

Lisa-Anne Crookes, Communications Manager with Wind Energy Ireland, oversees the organisation’s education programme: “We know that young people are passionate about climate action and there is a much greater emphasis on it in the curriculum with the new Leaving Cert course on Climate Action and Sustainable Development

"Workinwind.ie will inspire and empower this generation of young people to play their role in Ireland’s renewable future, by highlighting clear paths to a broad range of careers in the renewable energy sector.”

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “The renewable energy industry is growing rapidly in Ireland and around the world. Together, we are creating a future free of fossil fuels. Whatever your passion, whatever your interest, there is a place for you with us.

“Over the next ten years we will need thousands of engineers and technicians, planners and ecologists, pilots and sailors, builders and designers, accountants and lawyers, if we are to build an industry that can decarbonise Ireland’s energy supply.

“Workinwind.ie is the start of a national campaign to inform, inspire and encourage young people to join the global renewable energy revolution, to build a career and save the planet.”

Wind energy profiles

The workinwind.ie platform profiles a growing number of people from a variety of backgrounds who are pursuing different careers in wind energy.

Tanya O’Reilly is a wind turbine technician from Cavan: “I can’t believe how well it’s all gone. It’s a new career – I just love it. I’ve worked on wind farms all over Ireland, including one only five minutes from my home in Cavan. But I’ve also got to travel for work to Sweden, England, Scotland and Wales.

“Even if you don’t have a background or knowledge in the renewables area, don’t restrict yourself. If you are willing to work and be open minded to learning new skills, then jump at the chance.”

Eoin McPartland is an engineer and works as offshore manager with Energia: “It is a really exciting time to be working in the energy sector as an engineer, helping to design and develop solutions to one of the greatest challenges of our time, the climate crisis.

“Engineering is a fantastic career that is rewarding and challenging in equal measure and if you are a problem solver and enjoy working with people to design, build and deliver then engineering could be for you.”

Carmel Brennan is an environmental advisor with SSE Renewables: “There are so many opportunities in wind energy now, both in Ireland and internationally. The existing onshore industry is still growing and the offshore industry is rapidly emerging as we aim to achieve climate action targets by the end of the decade. It’s a great time to join the industry in any role.

“I work with a wonderful, diverse and talented group of people and I really enjoy getting out to our wind farm sites, many of which are in remote and beautiful parts of the island.”

The workinwind.ie was launched at Ireland’s first ever Wind Energy Trade show, which took place today and yesterday in the Sports Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown. The Trade Show brought together key players from across the global wind energy industry, and Ireland’s growing domestic supply chain companies, to showcase the exciting potential of the Irish wind industry, and highlight the expertise of the Irish suppliers, with a view to introducing them to the international market.