Member Spotlight: Hampton Roads Workforce Council
We asked the Hampton Roads Workforce Council some questions about the offshore wind industry in Virginia. Here are answers from Steve Cook, Chief Innovation Officer at the Hampton Roads Workforce Council:
How do you see offshore wind shaping the broader economy of Hampton Roads over the next decade?
The offshore wind industry is already proving to be an economic force in Hampton Roads, fostering job creation, business expansion, infrastructure investment, and energy innovation. The region is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, strengthening its economy while advancing sustainability goals. Hampton Roads’ strategic coastal location makes it a prime hub for offshore wind manufacturing and logistics. Local businesses will benefit from increased demand for parts, vessels, and services. The region is attracting new manufacturers and suppliers, boosting industrial development. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council will continue to play an integral role in supporting our educational providers and associated training programs to support the workforce needs for this industry.
What kinds of jobs do you anticipate offshore wind to bring to the area, and what skills will be in demand?
We’ve seen an influx of construction jobs supporting the development of the infrastructure required to support the various components of wind turbines at Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT), in addition to jobs supporting the building of the Monitoring and Coordination Center at Fairwinds Landing. Dominion Energy, along with other partner companies, drives job creation across engineering, trades, logistics, environmental sciences, and business sectors. Workforce training in technical certifications and safety compliance are critical to meeting the demand for skilled workers. Just last year, ODU received a $2 million grant to create a Cyber Security Center for Offshore Wind Energy. This industry spans a wide variety of skill sets that support the construction of the wind farm now and will continue to service the turbines for the next 25 – 30 years.
How does Hampton Roads Workforce Council support the offshore wind industry and the community beyond job creation?
Hampton Roads Workforce Council not only supports the offshore wind industry’s growth but also contributes to the community’s educational advancement, legislative progress, and economic development. For example, we have partnered with the Hampton Roads Alliance (Alliance) and Dominion Energy to host and participate in panels and forums to educate the public and local businesses about opportunities within the offshore wind supply chain. We are also at the table when the Alliance hosts companies looking to expand to the region to work in the OSW space, like the LS Greenlink Cable project announced last year. We’ve also supported legislative initiatives such as HB 1616, a bill designed to enhance workforce training programs, including pre-hire soft skills and Global Wind Organization (GWO) certifications.
How would the expansion of the offshore wind industry in Virginia benefit Hampton Roads Workforce Council?
The offshore wind industry has provided unique opportunities to create and enhance new job training partnerships, such as supporting the “Offshore Wind Technician” training program offered through Centura College. This expansion has also allowed us to apply for additional state and federal funding for workforce initiatives necessary to increase training capacity at places like Tidewater Community College, Camp Community College, and Virginia Peninsula Community College. These funds can also be used to assist qualified students with wraparound services.
How important is collaboration between the public and private sectors in making offshore wind a success?
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical to the success of offshore wind for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth. What we are seeing now, in terms of the different components making way from the Portsmouth Marine Terminal to the Atlantic, the infrastructure improvements to PMT and new development at Fair Winds Landing, has required extensive coordination across government agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to develop a skilled workforce, build infrastructure, and ensure regulatory compliance. The Workforce Council provides outreach efforts to promote and attract candidates to this industry as well as provide funding to support training initiatives. Private sector companies like Dominion Energy, Siemens Gamesa, and other local suppliers offer hands-on training and career pathways to prepare workers for these exciting jobs. The Virginia Maritime Association and the Hampton Roads Alliance, along with other regional partners, have helped coordinate a regional approach to support the growth of the offshore wind industry in the region.
What excites you most about the future of offshore wind in Hampton Roads?
Watching this industry take off—and seeing the region prosper because of it—is what makes it so exciting. Offshore wind is still evolving, and Hampton Roads has a chance to be at the forefront of technological advancements from floating wind turbines to AI-driven grid management. The region is making strides to be a center for research, innovation, and leadership in renewable energy, all leading to more investment and jobs for our region.