4 Tips To Start Your Offshore Wind Career

1. Whom do you want to work for?

The first place to start is to begin researching the type of companies you might want to work for. Scopes of work can vary depending on in which phase do you work:

1. Development and Project Management

Development and project management covers the activities up to the point of financial close or placing firm orders to proceed with wind farm construction. This includes activities required to secure planning consents such as the environmental impact assessment, and activities required to define the design and engineering aspects.

What's in it:

• P.1 Development and consenting services
• P.2 Environmental surveys
• P.3 Resource and metocean assessment
• P.4 Geological and hydrographical surveys
• P.5 Engineering and consultancy

2. Installation and Commissioning

All installation and commissioning of the balance of plant and turbines, including land- and sea-based activity. For offshore activities, the process starts by transporting components from the nearest port to manufacture to either the I.7 Construction port or straight to the site. Activities are complete at the wind farm construction works completion date, where assets are handed over to operational teams.

What's in it

• I.1 Foundation installation
• I.2 Offshore substation installation
• I.3 Onshore substation construction
• I.4 Onshore export cable installation
• I.5 Offshore cable installation
• I.6 Turbine installation
• I.7 Construction port
• I.8 Offshore logistics

3. The operation, Maintenance, and Service

The operation, maintenance, and service (OMS) are the combined functions that, during the lifetime of the wind farm, support the ongoing operation of the wind turbines, the balance of plant, and associated transmission assets. OMS activities formally start at the wind farm construction works completion date.

The focus of these activities during the operational phase is to ensure safe operations, maintain the physical integrity of the wind farm assets, and optimize electricity generation.

What's in it

• O.1 Operations
• O.2 Maintenance and service

4. Decommissioning

Removal or making safe of offshore infrastructure at the end of its useful life, plus disposal of equipment.

What's in it

• D.1 Turbine decommissioning
• D.2 Foundation decommissioning
• D.3 Cable decommissioning
• D.4 Substation decommissioning
• D.5 Decommissioning port
• D.6 Reuse, recycling, or disposal

Once you’ve identified companies you’d like to work for, sign up for alerts on their job page so you find out immediately when roles become available.

2. Should you apply for a contract or permanent role? 

Next, you need to decide how you’d like to work. Many companies employ a mixture of contractors and permanent staff and they both have their pros and cons.

As a permanent member of staff, you will obtain a more stable income with more possibilities to earn promotions into senior management. As a contractor, you have a greater earning capacity from the start, but sometimes there can be gaps in your pay if campaigns are delayed or finish ahead of schedule.

It’s also important to consider your commute. Most companies look for site-based candidates who live within 45 minutes of the offshore wind site or candidates who are willing to work shifts and travel. In this case, bear in mind you could be away for weeks at a time as this style of working is not for everyone.  

3. Is your CV ready for offshore wind roles? 

Usually, your CV is the first thing a hiring manager will see so it’s important to make the right impression. When writing your CV make sure you:

• Tailor your CV to the job – Now you know what kind of role you’re looking for, make sure your CV is relevant to the job role, ensure you emphasize the skills that make you the ideal candidate.
• Take time to proofread your CV - spelling mistakes and bad grammar create the impression that you don’t have attention to detail. Always spell-check after writing and ask a friend to check it over.
• Keep personal details to a minimum - whilst you may want to include a brief bio, it is not advisable to include your age, religious or political stance.
• Order your education & qualifications – give prominence to the most recent or the most relevant qualifications to the specific role you are applying to.
• Get the most from your skills - aside from formal qualifications; ensure to mention software skills, applications, operating systems, and databases that you are familiar with. Speak any foreign languages? Include them!
• Advertise your experience - don’t stop at formal job roles. Have you taken part in work placements or voluntary work? List the skills you developed in each role (as long as it’s relevant!)

4. Have you got any contacts in offshore wind? 

Now that you’re ready to enter the offshore wind market, it’s vitally important to make contacts with other technicians and engineers. There are huge support networks available on websites such as LinkedIn, where you can find out about job opportunities and speak to others who are working. You can follow relevant industry news as well as thought leaders who can help you develop your market knowledge, which can be a huge plus in an interview!

You could also attend industry events to help grow your circle and begin networking with other professionals, as well as recruiters and talent acquisition managers.