Virginia’s first offshore and onshore wind workforce training collaborative, the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance, plans to start offering instructional programs early next year.

The program, which will make available industry-required certifications critical to the operation and long-term maintenance of wind energy projects, was announced on Oct. 16 by Gov. Ralph Northam as he addressed the 2020 Offshore WINDPOWER Virtual Summit, hosted by the American Wind Energy Association.

The New College Institute, which will serve as the host institution, is joining forces with Centura College and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy to create the alliance. This partnership will bring courses certified by the Global Wind Organization and National Center for Construction, Education, and Research wind technician training to onshore and offshore wind projects to Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region, a release stated.

“Building a strong wind energy workforce will give the commonwealth a si...