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PRESS RELASE: Energy Innovation and ManpowerGroup Launch the Wind Technician Academy

Energy Innovation is proud to announce a major milestone in our Nordic collaboration with ManpowerGroup: The signing of a formal partnership framework agreement to launch the Wind Technician Academy. This new and scalable model is designed to educate, support, and prepare the next generation of wind technicians.

After one year of close cooperation, Patric Palm (Managing Director Manpower Enterprise, Innovation Leader Sweden) and Frank Emil Moen (CEO, Energy Innovation AS) signed the agreement. As a result, we now take the next step in a partnership that directly responds to the rapidly growing demand for skilled professionals in the wind energy sector.

“We are very pleased to enter into this framework agreement with ManpowerGroup, one of the world’s leading global workforce solutions companies. Their international reach and strong presence across multiple markets is an excellent match for Energy Innovation’s global franchise network, enabling scalable delivery of training and talent development worldwide. The Wind Technician Academy represents a new model for skills development in the renewable energy sector, where we connect industry needs with practical training and real candidate follow-up. This is an important step toward making wind power an accessible and attractive career path for many more people.”

— Frank Emil Moen, CEO, Energy Innovation AS

First pilot program starts in mid-February

The first pilot program starts with eight candidates from Sweden, who will begin their training period at Egersund Energy Hub in mid-February.

ManpowerGroup selected the candidates through a solid recruitment process. In addition, Energy Innovation has contributed with advice, guidance, and industry insight throughout the selection phase. The recruitment work has also benefited from input and support from partners in the Regional CoVE for Offshore Wind in Norway through the T-shore Erasmus+ project.

A special thanks to Charlotte Yri (Norwegian Group Aak Energy), as well as Krzysztof Komorowski and Eli Seglem (Energy Innovation) for their guidance. Their experience from recruitment and O&M in the wind industry has been especially valuable.

A new Nordic model for wind technician training and recruitment

The Wind Technician Academy is a pilot initiative that combines the strengths of both partners. In practice, this means:

  • ManpowerGroup is responsible for candidate sourcing, attraction, and recruitment

  • Energy Innovation delivers specialized technical training and skills development, including guidance and networking support throughout the recruitment process

Together, we follow and support candidates throughout the full education and training journey — from entry into the program to readiness for work in the wind industry.

Importantly, this integrated model is designed to build a reliable and sustainable pipeline of qualified wind technicians. Over time, it will support the growth of renewable energy across the Nordic region and beyond.

Framework agreement covers the entire Nordic region

The signed agreement applies to ManpowerGroup’s Nordic region. Therefore, it represents an important step toward more integrated and long-term workforce solutions for the renewable energy transition.

The first pilot targets personnel working in Sweden. However, the ambition is to scale the model across:

  • Sweden

  • Norway

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • and ultimately global markets

During the pilot phase, training will take place at Energy Innovation’s facilities in Norway. Later on, we will scale delivery through Energy Innovation Global’s international franchise network, with partners in the US, Poland, Sweden, and Scotland so far — and more to come.

Addressing the growing demand for wind technicians

The need for skilled professionals in wind energy is increasing rapidly. According to the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the industry will require more than 500,000 wind technicians by 2028. Moreover, over 40% of these will be newly recruited personnel.

At the same time, the wind sector is expected to generate more than 200,000 new jobs in Europe by 2030.

This is not only a workforce challenge — it is also a major opportunity. For this reason, the Wind Technician Academy is a concrete response: a partnership-driven solution built to scale, and built to deliver.

Making wind power careers more visible and accessible

Despite strong growth in the wind industry, several recent reports highlight a key barrier: many young jobseekers are not aware of career opportunities within renewable energy, particularly in technical and vocational roles.

In many cases, there is limited visibility around:

  • education pathways

  • entry requirements

  • job content and career progression

  • the skills that are actually needed

The green transition requires more than technology — it requires people. Therefore, we must build stronger bridges between industry, education providers, and the public sector. The Wind Technician Academy is a practical example of how such collaboration can create accessible career pathways and real opportunities.


A partnership built on expertise, reach, and quality

Energy Innovation brings deep technical competence, modern training methodology, and global delivery capability through our franchise network. ManpowerGroup contributes international recruitment experience, strong candidate processes, and local market insight across the Nordic region.

“We are very pleased to have this framework agreement in place. This is an important step in building a future workforce for renewable energy. Together, we combine global reach with local insight and technical expertise.”

— Steinar Instefjord, Director, Sustainable Business Development, ManpowerGroup Norway

Overall, this collaboration demonstrates how industry partnerships can deliver solutions that are both scalable and sustainable, while maintaining high standards of quality and candidate support.


Key contributors

In addition to Frank Emil Moen, Patric Palm, and Steinar Instefjord, the following individuals have played key roles in developing the collaboration:

  • Mia Kartal, Project Solution Lead, ManpowerGroup

  • Steven Kjørmo, COO, Energy Innovation AS

  • Krzysztof Komorowski, Senior Content Manager, Energy Innovation AS

A special thanks to Maalfrid Braath, Regional Managing Director Nordic & Baltics, ManpowerGroup, for strong support and commitment.

The framework agreement was signed during the T-shore CoVE stakeholder workshop in Stavanger. The collaboration is a concrete example of how industry and vocational training providers can turn Regional Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) activities under Erasmus+ into real, measurable action—exactly as intended by the European Commission.


Looking ahead

The Wind Technician Academy for the Nordic Region is only the beginning. Looking ahead, our shared ambition is to expand the model across the Nordic region and into global markets. By doing so, we will support wind energy growth with structured training, recruitment excellence, and long-term workforce development.

At Energy Innovation, we believe the green transition must be matched with an equally ambitious skills transition — and inclusion. With ManpowerGroup, we are taking a meaningful step forward. Ultimately, we aim to create real pathways into wind power careers and help the industry secure the workforce it needs.

 

APPENDIX: The training program

The training program runs over four weeks, supported by e-learning modules completed in advance. These include:

  • Energy Innovation’s own introduction courses to the onshore and offshore wind industry, developed in collaboration with Mintra

  • Gamification modules developed in collaboration with Fidl

The program has been developed in close dialogue with both OEMs and experienced O&M personnel. In addition, it includes the required GWO certification, as guided by OEM requirements and industry expectations.

Content

EI – Introduction to the wind industry

  • Wind Turbine History and Safety Standards

  • Wind Industry Impacts

  • Operating Principles & Components

GWO Basic Safety Training 

GWO Lift User

EI – Effective Communication and Reporting

  • Technical English

  • Wind turbine terminology

  • Stress and conflict management

  • Effective communication techniques

  • Digital communication tools

  • MS Office introduction

  • Data visualization techniques

  • Technical writing and reporting

EI – Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)

  • International regulations

  • Industry standards

  • Local regulations

  • Internal control regulations

  • Sustainability

  • Risk understanding

  • Risk assessment

  • Risk management

GWO Basic Technical Training

  • Mechanics

  • Electronics

  • Hydraulics

  • Bolt Tightening

GWO Slinger Signaller

GWO Crane and Hoist

GWO Control of Hazardous Energies

Industry visit

  • Visit to wind farm — meeting with O&M managers and wind technicians

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