Ørsted inks training agreement with organized labor

BY MARIE J. FRENCH
11/18/2020 07:00 AM EST

Ørsted, which has contracts with New York, New Jersey and other states to develop offshore wind projects, has struck a deal to partner with organized labor on training workers in the building trades for the offshore wind industry.

The developer announced the agreement with the North America’s Building Trades Unions and the AFL-CIO on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The deal could help Ørsted secure a workforce for the anticipated future buildout of offshore wind. The agreement is also a win for unions eager to tap into the growing sector and secure high-paying jobs for members. State policymakers, especially in New York, have also been pushing — and in some cases requiring — offshore wind projects to negotiate with unions.

The details: The national agreement calls for the company and its partners to work with unions to match needed skills with available workers and the timeline of the company's projects. The goal is to develop a long-term plan to ensure that a workforce is ready as permits are obtained and construction begins on projects, according to the announcement.