The UK wind industry is experiencing rapid growth, with nearly 8,000 new jobs added in the offshore sector over the past two years. That’s according to the Wind Industry Skills Intelligence Report 2025, published by RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), which reveals that offshore wind employment has risen from just over 32,000 in 2023 to nearly 40,000 today — a 24% increase.

The report also highlights employment in onshore wind, where over 15,000 people are now working across the UK. Combined, the total wind energy workforce in the country exceeds 55,000 jobs.

Looking ahead to 2030, the study outlines three deployment scenarios for offshore wind capacity — 39GW, 47GW, and 52GW. It also includes a 27GW onshore wind target, aligning with government ambitions for clean power within five years. Based on these scenarios, offshore wind could support between 74,000 and 95,000 jobs by 2030, with onshore wind employment expected to exceed 17,500. Altogether, the UK’s wind workforce could surpass 112,000 by the end of the decade. The largest growth in employment is projected for Scotland, the East of England, and the Yorkshire and Humber region.

To meet the growing demand for skilled labour, the report puts forward several key recommendations. These include the development of a national workforce strategy, the establishment of regional training hubs in coastal areas, and fast-track programmes for new entrants and those transitioning from other industries. A central workforce observatory is also proposed to track skills gaps, labour demand, and training needs. The industry is encouraged to work closely with education providers to expand apprenticeships and internship schemes.

The report identifies a number of high-demand roles that require urgent attention to address skills shortages, including high-voltage cable specialists, wind turbine technicians, environmental advisers, installation engineers, planning officers, and technical managers. It also points to significant opportunities for workers from related fields — such as oil and gas, or the military — to retrain and transition into renewables. Moreover, the study calls for better alignment between STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and maths) and the practical needs of the wind industry, with tailored modules introduced at school and university levels.

When it comes to diversity, the report notes a steady rise in female participation in the wind sector, reaching 22% this year. The offshore wind industry aims to increase that figure to 33% by 2030. The average age of workers in the sector remains under 40, notably younger than in comparable industries like transport, where the average is typically in the mid-to-late 40s — a sign that more young people are choosing careers in renewables.

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Jane Cooper, emphasised the positive trajectory of wind sector employment. “This report shows that the number of people in high-quality, well-paid jobs in the onshore and offshore wind industries will continue to grow far beyond the 55,000 we see today. But it also warns of a looming skills gap — which we must tackle by recruiting and training enough workers through apprenticeships and graduate programmes to meet the needs of a fast-expanding sector.”