Wind Workforce/Careers
Career Opportunities in the Wind Industry
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is aggregating information on internship and apprenticeship programs in the wind industry to enhance visibility and accessibility for students and other jobseekers. This initiative aims to facilitate a more inclusive and informed approach towards wind industry workforce pathways, through highlighting potential opportunities to gain experience in the industry. The table below provides relevant information on a sample of opportunities across the United States.
In addition to this effort, NREL is planning an annual national wind workforce conference in fall 2024 to bring together educational institutions, wind industry companies, and students and other jobseekers. This conference aims to foster relationships between stakeholders, excite students and recent graduates about opportunities in the wind industry, and provide information on wind workforce analysis.
If your organization offers wind-related training programs, reach out to Bailey Pons at bpons@nrel.gov or Heidi Tinnesand at heidi.tinnesand@nrel.gov.
Sample of Internship and Apprenticeship Programs
| Organization name | Organization type | Program type | Organization location | Link to program landing page or how to apply | Contact information (Name and email) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Community College | Apprenticeship | Estherville, Iowa | https://iowalakes.edu/program/wind-energy-turbine-technology-aas/ | Michael Gengler, mMgengler@iowalakes.edu |
| North America's Building Trades Unions | Training Provider | Apprenticeship | Every state. | https://nabtu.org/ | Tom Kriger, tkriger@nabtu.org |
| General Electric Vernova (Wind Engineering) | Training Provider | Internship | Greenville, SC and Schenectady, NY | https://jobs.gecareers.com/renewableenergy/global/en/renewable-energy-eedp https://jobs.gecareers.com/global/en/internships-co-ops |
David Magnuson, david.magnuson@ge.com |
| Seafarers International Union | Labor union | Apprenticeship | Camp Springs, MD | https://mymaritimecareer.org | Ray Henderson, rhenderson@seafarers.org |
| Maryland Department of Labor | Government | Apprenticeship | Baltimore, MD and Prince Georges County, MD | Raising the Bar: https://www.bdcbt.org/apprenticeship-readiness-mc3 Baltimore Electrical: https://jatc24.org/applicants/ |
Chanel Viator, chanel.viator@maryland.gov |
| Building Futures | Nonprofit organization | Apprenticeship | Providence, RI | https://www.bfri.org/ | Andrew L. Cortes, acortes@bfri.org |
| Scout Clean Energy | Developer | Internship | Boulder, CO | https://apply.workable.com/scout-clean-energy/?lng=en | Shannon McAlpine, scoutcleanenergy.com |
| Natural Power Consultants | Training Provider | Internship | Seattle, WA and Golden, CO | Email interest to npusinternship@naturalpower.com | Meagan Santos, meagans@naturalpower.com |
| Kingsborough Community College | Community College | Pre-Apprenticeship; Apprenticeship | Brooklyn, NY and Piney Point, MD | https://sites.google.com/view/bridgestooffshorewind/kingsborough-community-college | Robert Zandi, robert.zandi@kbcc.cuny.edu |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | Labor union | Apprenticeship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://electricaltrainingalliance.org/locateaTrainingCenter/Inside | Ed Hill Jr, ehill_jr@ibew.org |
| Nunez Community College | Community College | Apprenticeship | Chalmette, LA | https://www.nunez.edu/admissions/step-1-appy-to-nunez | Jacqueline Richard, jrichard@nunez.edu |
| National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) | Research | Internship | Golden, CO | https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/NREL/job/Boulder-CO/Student-Training-in-Applied-Research--STAR--Program-Undergraduate-Internship---Wind-Energy-Workforce-Diversity_R11742?q=Wind&workerSubType=41059f5be019104091d88850a3f54318 | Jahi Simabi, jahi.simbai@nrel.gov |
| Invenergy | Developer | Internship | Chicago, IL | https://invenergyllc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/invenergycareers | |
| UWUA | Union | Apprenticeship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://uwua.net/programs/ | |
| Skyclimber | Training provider | Apprenticeship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://skyclimber-re.com/top/ | |
| LiUNA | Union | Apprenticeship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://www.liunatraining.org/programs-and-services/commercial-construction/ | |
| Building Pathways South | Training Provider | Pre-Apprenticeship | Providence, RI | https://www.buildingpathwayssouth.com/ | |
| Wanzek Construction | Developer | Internship; Apprenticeship | Morrison, CO | https://wanzek.com/internships https://wanzek.com/apprenticeship-program |
|
| RES Energy | Developer | Internship | Denver, CO | https://www.res-group.com/us/current-opportunities/ | |
| Blattner Energy | Developer | Internship | Avon, MN | https://www.blattnerenergy.com/careers/internships | |
| DNV GL | Consultant | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://jobs.dnv.com/job-search?query=intern&country%5B0%5D=United%20States | |
| Mott Macdonald | Consultant | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://www.mottmac.com/careers/search | |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://mhicareers.com | |
| Acciona | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://people.acciona.com/professional-development/acciona-internship-program/ | |
| Nordex | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://jobs.nordex-online.com/?locale=en_US | |
| Nextera Energy | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://www.nexteraenergy.com/careers/join-our-team/internships.html | |
| Apex Clean Energy | Developer | Internship | Charlottesville, VA | https://www.apexcleanenergy.com/careers/#open-positions | |
| Rosendin Electric, Inc. | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://www.rosendin.com/careers/students-recent-grads/ | |
| Orsted | Developer | Internship | Various locations in the U.S. | https://us.orsted.com/careers/early-careers | |
| Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association | Nonprofit organization | Pre-Apprenticeship | Newark, NJ | https://ihnanewark.com | Ahmed Chaundry, ahmed.chaundry@njeda.gov |
| Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers | Training Provider | Pre-Apprenticeship | Atlantic City, NJ | https://www.eascarpenterstech.edu | Ahmed Chaundry, ahmed.chaundry@njeda.gov |
| Rowan College of South Jersey | Community College | Apprenticeship | Sewell, NJ | https://www.rcsj.edu | Ahmed Chaundry, ahmed.chaundry@njeda.gov |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) | Government | Fellowship | Various locations in NJ | https://www.njeda.gov/wind-institute-fellowship/ | Ahmed Chaundry, ahmed.chaundry@njeda.gov |
| A and S Electric Inc | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Brooklyn, NY | ||
| ACC Contracting LLC | Construction Labor | Apprenticeship | Rochester, NY | https://www.aac-contracting.com/ | |
| AC Spears Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Binghamton, NY | https://www.acspearelectricinc.com/ | infoacspear@gmail.com |
| AE Rosen Electrical Co Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Albany, NY | https://aerosenelectrical.com/ | jane@aerosenelectrical.com |
| AMR Electrical Contracting Corp | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Bronx, NY | https://www.adavinoelectrical.com/ | info@adavinoelectrical.com |
| Advan-Tech Manufacturing Inc | Machinst | Apprenticeship | Orchard Park, NY | https://advan-tech.us/ | info@advan-tech.us |
| Aleut Electric LLC | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Greene, NY | https://aleutelectric.com/ | |
| Alfred State College | Training Facility | ||||
| Amada Tool America Inc | Machinst | Apprenticeship | Batavia, NY | https://www.amada.com/america/tooling | |
| Anjo Construction Ltd | Construction Labor | Apprenticeship | Latham, NY | https://www.anjoconst.com/ | info@AnjoConst.com |
| Anker's Electric Service Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Locust Valley, NY | ||
| Arconic Massena LCC | Plant Maintenance- Electrican | Apprenticeship | Massena, NY | https://www.arconic.com/ | |
| Asbestos Lead and HazardousWaste Laborers LU #78 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Long Island, NY | https://www.local78.org/ | |
| Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | East Syracuse, NY | https://www.abcnys.org/ | |
| Avarus Solution Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Rochester, NY | https://avarussolutions.com/ | |
| B and R Mechanical Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Bellport, NY | https://www.brmechanical.com/ | |
| BAE Systems Control Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Endicott, NY | ||
| BBA Inc DBA | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Albany, NY | ||
| Bartell Machinery Systems LLC | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Rome, NY | https://bartellmachinery.com/ | |
| Bellaphia Construction Inc DBA | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Gamerville, NY | ||
| Best Paving & Sealcoating Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Albany, NY | ||
| Big Ant Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Deer Park, NY | https://www.bigantelectric.com/contact.html | |
| Brady Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | North Tonawanada, NY | https://bradyelectric.com/ | |
| Brunswick Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Troy, NY | https://www.bemc.org/ | |
| DEM Machine Inc | Machinst | Apprenticeship | Carthage, NY | https://www.cem-machine.com/ | |
| CRI Electrical Contractors Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Manlius, NY | https://www.cri-electric.com/ | |
| Calvary Robotics | Engine and Machine | Apprenticeship | Webster, NY | https://calvaryrobotics.com/ | |
| Candela Systems Corporation | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Hawthorne, NY | https://candelasystems.com/ | |
| Caryl Electric Co Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Baldwinville, NY | ||
| Central New York Electrical Training Alliance | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Clay, NY | https://www.cnyeta.org/ | |
| Charles A Rogers | Machinst | Apprenticeship | Victor, NY | ||
| Colacino Industries Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Newark, NJ | https://www.colacino.com/ | |
| Comalli Group Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Albany, NY | https://www.comalli.com/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Albany/ | |
| Commerce Electrical Group | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Astoria, NY | https://commerceelectrical.com/wp// | |
| Crana Electrical | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Mount Vernon, NY | https://cranaelectric.com// | |
| Deborah Bradley Construction | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | New York, NY | https://www.dbcnewyork.com// | |
| Delmar Electric Construction Corp | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Tonawanda, NY | https://www.delmar-electric.com/ | |
| Demand Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Astoria, NY | ||
| Demco New York Corp | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | East Syracuse, NY | http://demcony.com/ | |
| Diekow Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Marathon, NY | ||
| Double R Contracting Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Deer Park, NY | https://www.drcgc.com/ | |
| Douglas Electric Company Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Rochester, NY | https://douglaselectric.us/about/ | |
| Dow Electric | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Malone, NY | https://dowelectric.com/ | |
| Driscoll Electrical Construction Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Buffalo, NY | https://www.driscollelectric.com/ | |
| EIA Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Long Island, NY | https://www.eia.us/ | |
| Electrician JAC Binghamton LU #325 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Binghamton, NY | https://ibew325.net/ | |
| Electrician JAC of Jamestown Local #106 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Jamestown, NY | https://ibew106.org/jatc/ | |
| Electrician JAC-Watertown LU #910 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Watertown, NY | https://ibew910.org/ejatc/ | |
| Empire State Merit Apprenticeship Alliance | Construction Labor | Apprenticeship | East Syracuse, NY | http://meritalliance.org/ | |
| Engineers JTF LU 545 DBA NY Engineers LU 158 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Cicero, NY | ||
| Eric Muller Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Islip, NY | ||
| Freedom Electrical and Data Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Staten Island, NY | https://www.freedomelectricaldataofny.com/ | |
| Gaines Electrical Contracting Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Niagara Falls, NY | http://gaineselectric.net/ | |
| Global Electrical Contractors of Westchester Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Yonkers, NY | http://www.globalelectricalcontracting.com/ | |
| Goforth Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Brockport, NY | http://www.goforthelectric.com/ | |
| Gordon and Zoerb Electrical Contractors Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Williamsville, NY | ||
| Gorman Bros Inc | Asphalt Contractor | Apprenticeship | Albany, NY | ||
| HDE Electric Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Elma, NY | https://www.hdeelectric.com/ | |
| Halcyon Inc | Electrical Contractor | Apprenticeship | Phelps, NY | https://www.halcoenergy.com/about-us.html/ | |
| Hall Enterprises Inc | Construction Labor | Apprenticeship | Patchogue, NY | https://hallenterprises.com/ | |
| IBEW/NECA J.A.T.C Local 3 Long Island City | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Flushing, NY | https://www.local3ibew.org/ | |
| IBEW/NECA J.A.T.C Local 86 Rochester | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Rochester, NY | https://roclaborfed.org/international-brotherhood-electrical-workers-local-86 | |
| IBEW/NECA J.A.T.C Local 237 Niagara | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Niagara Falls, NY | https://www.ibew237.com/ | |
| IBEW/NECA J.A.T.C Local 363 Harriman | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Harriman, NY | https://ibewlu363.org/htdocs/index.html/ | |
| IBEW/NECA J.A.T.C Local 840 Geneva | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Geneva, NY | https://www.ibew840.org/ | |
| IUOE Local 158 Training Fund District #106 | Labor Union | Apprenticeship | Glenmont, NY | https://www.iuoe158.org/apprenticeship-training/district-106/ | |
| Independent Contractors Guild of WNY Inc | Construction Labor | Apprenticeship | Buffalo, NY | https://www.icgofwny.com/ | |
| University of New Orleans' Wind Scholars Program | University | Internship | New Orleans, LA | https://thebeachuno.org/wind-scholars-program/ | Shafin Khan, skhan@thebeachuno.org |
| Arcon Training Center | Training Provider | Training Program | Salisbury, MD | https://www.arcontraining.com/ | Benjamin Etherton, ben@arcontraining.com |
| Interstate Renewable Energy Council | Nonprofit Organization | Internship | Albany, NY | https://irecusa.org/about-irec/careers-and-opportunities/ | Leslie Graham, leslieg@irecusa.org |
Other Career Information
American Wind Energy Association. Careers in Wind
This page connects wind energy companies to people seeking jobs in the wind energy industry.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Careers in Wind Energy
This resource defines the various jobs created by wind energy development in the United States and includes information on the manufacturing phase of wind energy development.
WINDExchange. Wind Energy Education and Training Programs
This interactive map shows the locations of wind energy educational programs and training at community colleges, universities, and other institutions. This site tracks job announcements and news related to wind industry jobs.
U.S. Department of Energy. (2011). Wind Power Career Chat
This document describes careers in the wind energy industry, including interviews with professionals. The interviews demonstrate the diversity of jobs and the paths that led the professionals to their current work.
U.S. Department of Energy. Clean Energy Jobs and Career Planning
This page provides links to information about clean energy-related jobs, internships, and training.
U.S. Department of Energy. Wind Career Map
This wind career map explores an expanding universe of wind energy occupations, describing diverse jobs across the industry, charting possible progression between them, and identifying the high-quality training necessary to do them well.
This portal is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO). The United States Government retains, and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.
