Opergy was commissioned by RenewableUK on behalf of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) to conduct an annual people and skills survey of the current offshore wind workforce in the UK. The purpose of this survey was to produce a comprehensive report that supports the industry’s understanding of workforce dynamics, skill requirements, and future workforce needs.

Over the three-year period from late 2020 to 2023, Opergy designed and implemented a robust survey methodology to collect detailed data from hundreds of companies involved in the offshore wind sector. Each annual survey aimed to capture a snapshot of the workforce, including job roles, skill levels, and demographic information. This data was then analysed and extrapolated to represent the entire sector, providing valuable insights for stakeholders.

Opergy’s approach involved extensive engagement with sector companies to ensure high participation rates and accurate data collection. The survey results were categorised into job groups and sub-job groups, and a forecasting methodology was applied to project workforce needs up to 2030. This projection took into account the UK Government’s target of achieving 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, including 5GW of floating offshore wind, as set out in the British Energy Security Strategy (BESS) in 2022.

The 2022 survey, which involved responses from more than 10,150 individual job records across 81 companies, provided a detailed analysis of the current workforce and future requirements. The data was conditioned and uplifted to create a futurecast model, which was then used by the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) to populate their online model. Opergy authored the final report and an accompanying slide pack, presenting the findings in a clear and actionable format.

Key areas of focus included identifying skill gaps, training needs, and opportunities for workforce development. The survey results highlighted the importance of addressing these gaps to meet the ambitious targets set by the UK Government. By providing a detailed understanding of the current and future workforce landscape, the OWIC Skills Survey has become a critical tool for planning and policymaking in the offshore wind sector.