What New Bedford's Offshore Wind Project Means for Your Kids

It's unlikely that you'll see a child stand in front of their class and say they want to be a Wind Tech when they grow up, but many of them may have that as a profession in 10 years.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wind Turbine Service Technician is the second fastest growing occupation, and that’s great news for kids on the SouthCoast.

With Offshore Wind Energy being the talk of the town these days, many folks know that the industry will create a ton of new employment opportunities for people in our area. As you may have read, our area has the most wind-energy potential than any other state in the country, which also means we have the most potential for wind-energy related jobs.

According to the USBLS, by 2026 there will be 5,600 Wind Turbine Service Technician (Wind Techs) jobs available as more wind turbines are built. If New Bedford becomes a leader in offshore wind energy, Wind Techs will be one of many occupations available in our area.

That means your kids will graduate high school and have an entirely new field of work they could enter that currently does not exist.

So what’s the skinny on a Wind Tech Career anyway?

Currently, the median salary for a wind technician is $52,000 per year. This job receives on-site training and requires no experience in a related occupation. Wind Techs will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing wind turbines as needed.

And that's just ONE of the 50-plus jobs associated with wind energy, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Now we all know it's hard for an eight-year-old to know what they want to be when they grow up (read: turn 18), but isn't it great to think that there may be something that won't require them moving out of the area?