The second edition of the EDU OFFSHORE WIND career fair, primarily aimed at high school students and university students, has concluded in Gdańsk. The event was accompanied by the slogan “We share our passion for green energy with the youth!”. The success of the event is primarily measured by the enthusiasm and significant interest in the topic of energy transition from young people, schools, and universities present at the Amber Expo exhibition halls in Gdańsk on March 5-6. BalticWind.EU has been a strategic media partner of both editions of the initiative.
The fair brought together over 100 exhibitors representing various stages of the supply chain for the offshore wind industry. This European-scale event aims to educate on zero-emission technologies and present career paths in the offshore sector. The event has once again been well-received by companies in the industry, as well as educational and academic environments, addressing the employment prospects in this field.
EduOffshoreWind2024. Source: Luminaris
Among the fair’s opening speakers were representatives of local authorities. Mieczysław Struk, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, emphasized that the offshore industry represents an opportunity for development in the region. Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the Mayor of Gdańsk, highlighting the power of education and collaboration, pointed to the growing need for qualified workers for companies, supporting the idea of EDU OFFSHORE WIND as part of a consistently implemented educational program. Michał Pasieczny, the Mayor of Rumia, emphasized the importance of providing green energy to companies for selling products on the scale of the European Union, which is related to meeting ESG requirements.
Małgosia Bartosik, Vice President of Wind Europe, highlighted the enormous challenges facing the offshore sector and the need to install significantly more wind power to meet the goals of the EU Net-Zero Industry Act. She also mentioned that the EDU OFFSHORE WIND fair is a unique initiative on a continental scale. Stefan Musiolik, Secretary of the Baltic Sea States Subregional Conference, emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation in offshore not only at the national level but also at the regional level.
EduOffshoreWind2024. Source: Luminaris
During the official opening of the fair, a charter was signed, which will be placed in a so-called time capsule and embedded during the construction of the Baltic Towers wind turbine factory. On the first day, signatures were also collected on a card that will be closed in the time capsule and embedded during the construction of the Baltic Towers wind turbine factory in Gdańsk. On this occasion, the details of the investment were presented by Jakub Wnuczyński, the CEO of Baltic Towers.
During the Pomeranian Offshore Platform conference organized as a part of the fair, Memorandum of Understanding on the Pomeranian Partnership for Skills within the EU Pact for Skills were also signed. Over 30 key entities participated in the signing, including the organizers and initiators of the fair, such as the Pomeranian Offshore Platform and The Pomeranian Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre, local government authorities, higher education institutions, industry organizations, and offshore sector companies.
The aim of the MoU is to strengthen resources in the Pomeranian region in terms of education and the labor market for the development of the renewable energy sector, with a special focus on offshore wind energy identified as a strategic area for achieving climate neutrality in the European Union through activities at the local, national, and international levels within the Baltic Sea Region cooperation. International cooperation development will take place primarily through collaboration with the Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC), which is among the signatories supporting the Agreement.
EduOffshoreWind2024. Source: Luminaris
During the fair, large-scale elements of offshore wind farm structures could be seen and touched, and participants could take part in workshops and live demonstrations. For young people, employers from the offshore wind energy sector and other energy mix technologies were available in one place. Hydrogen workshops “Hydro Love” were organized in collaboration with the Hydrogen Technologies Cluster as part of the international project Green Skills for Hydrogen.
Organizers prepared many innovations for visitors, including the Energy Transformation Island, the Job Truck zone – a place for presenting internships, internships, and job offers. The central point is the FOOD TRUCK serving as a JOB WALL, where exhibitors can present their offers.
The educational career fair EDU OFFSHORE WIND 2024 was preceded, as in the previous year, by a special educational program dedicated to students interested in offshore wind farms. This year’s edition involved over 140 schools from the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The current edition of EDU OFFSHORE WIND is not only a fair but also an educational program, workshops, shows, and competitions aimed at young people to instill a passion for green energy.
The event was initiated by the Pomeranian Offshore Platform and The Pomeranian Offshore Wind Energy Competence Centre. It was organized by AMBEREXPO Exhibition and Congress Center, Rumia Invest Park, Co-Made and the Offshore Energy Innovation Industry Foundation. The main partners of the event are the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the city of Gdańsk.
