NREL's Suzanne Tegen Outlines U.S. Wind Energy Workforce Needs

April 30, 2017

Wind Systems magazine interviewed Suzanne Tegen at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) about the growing U.S. wind energy industry and its workforce. Tegen pointed out that in addition to the fact that wind power technician is the fastest-growing job in the United States, "25% to 30% of the wind workforce is in supply chain and manufacturing" and increasing. She cited results from NREL's wind industry skills assessment report, in which more than 350 employees from the wind industry were asked what kind of candidates they were looking for (engineers to conduct resource assessment top the list, and manufacturing and supply chain workers are needed as well). Tegen also discussed the need for training programs in the United States and the exciting future for offshore wind jobs.