NJEDA and NJIT Partner to Create Offshore Wind Graduate Certificate Programs

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to provide $399,000 in funding to the Professional Offshore Wind Energy Certificates (POWERCERTS) Program. The funding approved in the MOU will establish two graduate certificates in Wind Power System Operation and Maintenance and Wind Power Economics and Management, bolstering offshore wind workforce training opportunities for college students.

“As offshore wind developments advance along the East Coast, we must guarantee that our workforce is equipped to meet the needs of the industry,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Today’s MOU with NJIT reflects the NJEDA’s commitment to providing high-quality workforce development programs in offshore wind that ensure opportunities for minority and underserved communities. This partnership helps move us closer to Governor Phil Murphy’s goal of creating 11 GW of offshore wind by 2040.”

NJIT’s POWERCERTS Program will address demands for offshore wind training in New Jersey, collaborating closely with the wind industry and the College’s science and engineering departments to offer a robust curriculum. The two graduate certificates established as part of the program will consist of 12 credits, including three core classes and one elective class. Using funding from today’s MOU, POWERCERTS will offer 24 $3,000 scholarships and 24 $4,000 assistantships primarily for students from minority and underrepresented communities to encourage and support their participation in offshore wind workforce training.

“We are very excited to be working with the NJEDA to establish the NJIT POWERCERTS graduate-certificates program, which will prepare workers to excel in the rapidly growing offshore wind clean energy sector,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “NJIT makes innovations happen, including in the area of environmental sustainability, and this effort will bolster New Jersey’s strength in the clean energy economy.”

To support offshore wind in New Jersey, the NJEDA is developing the Wind Institute for Innovation and Training to accelerate the development of a robust and diverse offshore wind workforce and champion research and innovation to unlock market potential. Today’s MOU is part of a comprehensive strategy to develop several training programs to bolster New Jersey’s offshore wind workforce for thousands of good-paying offshore wind employment opportunities.

“Effective workforce training programs are necessary to prepare future job seekers with the skills they need to thrive in the offshore wind sector,” said NJEDA’s Vice President for Offshore Wind Jen Becker. “NJIT’s POWERCERTS program will prepare graduates for good-paying job opportunities in offshore wind engineering and management, helping keep the state at the forefront of offshore wind energy development.”

The funding provided in the MOU is allocated from the NJEDA’s previous MOU with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). Approved in October 2022, the $10 million MOU dedicates funds to support the continued development and execution of offshore wind workforce, education, research, and innovation programs.