GWEC – Global Wind Workforce Outlook, 2023

The Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2023-2027 report by GWEC highlights the growing demand for a skilled workforce in the wind industry due to the increasing adoption of renewable energy as a solution to climate change. The report focuses on the need for trained technicians in the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of wind farms. It aims to address three key questions: the number of technicians requiring industry-standard training, the gap between current training availability and future demand, and the opportunities for training providers to enhance the wind workforce. The report uses GWO's Workforce Forecasting Model and GWEC's Global Wind Market Intelligence to determine the volume of technicians needed for the construction and operation of onshore and offshore wind projects from 2023 to 2027. The model does not consider workforce needs in other project segments such as research and development or manufacturing. According to GWEC Market Intelligence, global wind capacity additions are projected to double from 78GW in 2022 to 155GW in 2027. By the end of 2027, the cumulative worldwide wind fleet is expected to exceed 1,500GW. This growth will create job opportunities for a well-trained wind technician workforce, benefiting local governments and training providers in developed and emerging economies. The report estimates that the number of technicians in the construction and installation segment will increase by 9%, from 286,200 in 2022 to 311,100 in 2027. Similarly, the number of operation and maintenance technicians is expected to grow by 29%, from 203,400 in 2022 to 263,100 in 2027. Overall, the wind industry will require nearly 600,000 skilled workers to meet the demand for constructing, installing, operating, and maintaining wind projects by 2027 alone. The report also forecasts an annual increase of at least 17% in the need for new qualified personnel in the construction and operation segments.