In the public debate on the development of staff necessary for the development of the offshore wind sector, arguments are most often voiced about the need to start new majors at universities. Education is also needed at the technical secondary level. Close cooperation of the Polish industry with young technicians is needed as well. Krzysztof Tomaszewski, Member of the Board of CEE Energy Group, describes the challenges facing the education of offshore wind energy personnel in his commentary for BalticWind.EU. The commentary was originally published in BalticWind.EU Quarterly Country Report Poland Q1 2022.

At the outset of the conversation with BalticWind.EU, Krzysztof Tomaszewski stresses that the development of the offshore wind industry requires not only engineering education, but also secondary technical education.

“An additional crucial challenge is the introduction of new competencies to be taught at vocational schools. Particular emphasis should be placed on establishing closer cooperation between the industry and technical and vocational schools in the area of apprenticeships, development of teaching facilities in the form of workshops and laboratories. The biggest problem of the industry, apart from the aforementioned, is the lack of staff for practical vocational training”, points out Tomaszewski.

He adds that it is necessary to recognize the challenge of today’s image of education in electro-energetic competences, which due to the current location of energy producers is focused in southern Poland. Offshore wind farms that are being developed are located in northern Poland and the existing education as well as research and development centres need to be utilised, the expert explains.

The full commentary you can find in BalticWind.EU Quarterly Country Report Poland Q1 2022.