🌬️ Wind energy: offshore/onshore with no experience — how to get started

If you are considering wind projects in the land of fjords, start with an overview of the market and safety requirements. Below is a quick guide to onshore and offshore: roles to start with, basic certifications (GWO/FSE), how schedules differ, how to transition from IT/construction, when seasonal recruitment opens, and where to find job openings.

🗺️ Segment map: onshore vs offshore — requirements and schedules

Onshore roles (operation/service) usually involve a regular working week and trips to sites.

Offshore roles are shift-based (typically 14/14 on SOVs — support vessels) with 12-hour shifts and strict HSE procedures. Offshore roles require GWO Basic Safety Training (height, first aid, fire safety, manual work, survival at sea), while onshore roles require local electrical safety and working at height. Tenders have been launched for floating wind farms (Utsira Nord) off the west coast, so offshore demand will grow.

👷‍♂️ Roles and career paths: technical support, monitoring, inspections, HSE

You can start as a service technician assistant, maintenance technician, blade inspection assistant/mechanic, HSE/documentation coordinator, fleet dispatcher/monitoring operator. For technical roles, a background in electrical/mechanical/hydraulic engineering and a comfortable working height are welcome; some positions require only 6–12 months of related experience. For offshore work, add ‘sea’ (CTV/SOV transfers) and rotation trips. A good starting point is the job descriptions of manufacturers/service companies, which list the requirements for physical fitness, height and basic mechanical/electrical qualifications.

🛡️ Certification and safety — the basis for offshore work

The minimum for offshore work is the GWO BST package: Working at Heights & Manual Handling, First Aid, Fire Awareness, Sea Survival. The modules are usually valid for two years (then need to be renewed). For offshore work, you will often be asked for a current offshore medical certificate in accordance with the OEUK/OGUK standard (recognised on the Norwegian shelf; valid for up to two years). Check the specific operator's requirements for medical examination and boarding a SOV/helicopter.

🔌 For offshore: electrical safety and working at height

For onshore parks, refer to FSE — safety regulations for working on electrical installations (retraining at least annually), plus training in working at height/safety. The regulator's rules emphasise the priority of collective fall protection (barriers/platforms) and requirements for tie-ins/attachment points when PPE is essential. Add a first aid course and basic training in slings/rigging.

💻 Transition from related industries — IT/data → wind (SCADA/analytics)

If you are from the data/software track, look for roles in condition monitoring (CMS), SCADA support, video and sensor analytics for the environment and networks. Examples: Norway's Spoor does AI bird monitoring for offshore; Heimdall Power provides utilities with wind and icing sensors/analytics for renewable energy networks. These roles are often English-speaking and friendly to junior–mid level candidates with good Python/SQL/computer vision/optimisation skills.

🏗️ Transition from construction/electrical engineering → wind (installation/service/supervision)

Electrical engineers, instrumentation and control engineers, installers, and foremen are easily convertible to blade service/mechanics/HV/LV parts. Add GWO BST and, if you plan to work with ropes and blade inspections, basic rope access (IRATA Level 1). Next, specialise: troubleshooting, major components, blade repair, quality supervision.

📅 Submission calendar: when to ‘catch’ the season

• Internships with majors. Equinor will open applications for summer 2026 16 September – 19 October 2025 (7-week programme) – a good entry point for engineering/analytical tracks.
• Service campaigns (blades). There are many spring/summer season recruitment drives across Europe for blade repairs and inspections — monitor announcements from January to March (example: 2025 seasonal roles).
• Onshore parks. Vacancies are available year-round, with a peak before scheduled maintenance and upgrades. See FINN/NAV under ‘fornybar/vindkraft’.

🚀 Mini-route (3–5 steps)

1. Determine your track: onshore (FSE+heights) or offshore (GWO+OEUK).
2. Complete the basics: sign up for GWO BST and a medical examination (offshore) / FSE (onshore).
3. Put together a ‘field’ portfolio: cases on maintenance, blade repair/rope access L1, SCADA/data.
4. Subscriptions and alerts: FINN/NAV/The Hub + Vestas/Siemens/Statkraft/Equinor pages.
5. For offshore, aim for a 14/14 rotation and apply in January, and for internships, apply in the autumn.

It is possible to enter the wind industry without extensive experience: choose a segment, complete the mandatory safety training, compile a portfolio of relevant case studies, and aim for recruitment windows. Seasonal teams, offshore rotations and English-speaking teams in western coastal agglomerations are good starting points. Next comes specialisation: blade repair, HV, diagnostics, supervision.