Bill > SB25

This bill establishes an Offshore Wind Industry Workforce Program and Fund within the Department of Energy, directing the Director to identify and develop training resources to advance the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This includes creating training curricula for various roles, such as pre-hire soft skills and technical skills for manufacturing trades, offshore wind product and service providers, maritime workers, and other skilled trades. The Director will assess the presence of offshore wind developers, manufacturers, and supply chain firms in Virginia and may establish a Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training program to ensure workers meet essential safety standards, including fire awareness, first aid, sea survival, working at height, and manual hauling. Priority will be given to training resources for veterans, local workers, and individuals from historically economically disadvantaged communities. To develop these resources, the Director will collaborate with public and private higher education institutions, vocational-technical schools, apprenticeship programs, and at least one historically black college or university. Funding for this initiative can come from existing local, state, or federal sources and grants, with the goal of identifying and developing the skills needed to support workforce development and expand the offshore wind industry in Virginia. The training resources developed will be coordinated with the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Program, including awards to the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB25