New Jersey Institute of Technology on Tuesday said it will offer two offshore wind graduate certificate programs thanks to a memorandum of understanding approved by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority board.
According to the MOU, $399,000 in funding will be granted to the Professional Offshore Wind Energy Certificates, or POWERCERTS, Program that will establish two graduate certificates, in Wind Power System Operation and Maintenance and Wind Power Economics and Management.
“As offshore wind developments advance along the East Coast, we must guarantee that our workforce is equipped to meet the needs of the industry,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “Today’s MOU with NJIT reflects the NJEDA’s commitment to providing high-quality workforce development programs in offshore wind that ensure opportunities for minority and underserved communities. This partnership helps move us closer to Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of creating 11 (gigawatts) of offshore wind by 2040.”
The funding for the program will bolster offshore wind workforce training opportunities for college students.
The two graduate certificates established as part of the program will consist of 12 credits, including three core classes and one elective class.
Additionally, using funding from today’s MOU, POWERCERTS will offer 24 $3,000 scholarships and 24 $4,000 assistantships primarily for students from minority and underrepresented communities to encourage and support their participation in offshore wind workforce training.
“We are very excited to be working with the NJEDA to establish the NJIT POWERCERTS graduate certificates program, which will prepare workers to excel in the rapidly growing offshore wind clean energy sector,” NJIT President Teik Lim said. “NJIT makes innovations happen, including in the area of environmental sustainability, and this effort will bolster New Jersey’s strength in the clean energy economy.”
The funding provided in today’s MOU is allocated from the NJEDA’s previous MOU with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Approved in October 2022, the $10 million MOU dedicates funds to support the continued development and execution of offshore wind workforce, education, research and innovation programs.
