Cork has launched a new Offshore Wind Skills Training Hub in Ringaskiddy to prepare workers for Ireland’s expanding renewable energy sector. The hub, based at the National Maritime College of Ireland, will offer training in offshore wind, carbon capture, hydrogen, and wave energy, positioning Cork as a leader in green workforce development.
Cork is now home to Ireland’s newest Offshore Wind Skills Training Hub, a strategic initiative to equip the next generation of energy professionals with the skills needed to support the country’s transition to renewable energy. The new hub is based in Ringaskiddy, and represents a collaboration between Cork Education and Training Board (ETB), Munster Technological University (MTU), the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), and University College Cork (UCC).
Located at the NMCI campus in Loughbeg, about 18 kilometres from Cork city, the training centre will focus on delivering specialised education and technical skills for Ireland’s rapidly growing offshore wind and marine energy industries.
The hub’s core mission is to provide targeted training programmes in offshore energy disciplines. These include emerging technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen energy, and wave energy, areas that are seen as critical to achieving Ireland’s climate and energy goals.
This initiative builds on the success of the Maritime and Offshore SafePass pilot programme launched earlier this year. Backed by SOLAS, the SafePass programme delivers essential safety training designed specifically for the offshore sector, and is already considered a foundational step in scaling up a safe and competent renewable energy workforce.
Ireland has committed to ambitious climate action goals under the Climate Action Plan, aiming for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Offshore renewable energy, particularly wind, is a cornerstone of this strategy. Investments in skills training hubs are vital to ensure Ireland has the workforce capable of meeting these national targets and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Industry analysts point to Cork and Ireland’s south coast as key regions for offshore wind development. The Celtic Sea alone has the potential to generate up to 50GW of offshore wind energy by 2030. This places Ireland ahead of many European counterparts, with current projections suggesting Germany will not reach 40GW until 2040, and France not until 2050.
At present, there are 27 offshore wind projects planned or underway around the Irish coast, including eight major developments off the south coast. Cork is also home to several leading companies in the green energy space, with major infrastructure projects such as a floating wind farm from Cobh to Youghal already in the works.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the Offshore Wind Skills Training Hub is expected to deliver long-term economic impact by creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting global demand. According to Cork Chamber of Commerce, maximising the region’s renewable energy potential could create thousands of jobs, drive investment, and help position Munster as an international hub for innovation.
In April, Cork’s renewable energy capabilities received another boost when Mainport Shipping welcomed the €25 million offshore support ship “Mainport Edge” to the Port of Cork. The vessel, designed for seabed surveys and offshore project support, had spent six months in the Mediterranean before returning to support the growing European wind energy market from Cork.
The launch of the Offshore Wind Skills Training Hub marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s clean energy transition. With international attention focused on wind-rich regions like the Celtic Sea, initiatives like this are critical in ensuring that Ireland not only builds the infrastructure for renewable energy—but also develops the human capital to sustain it.
As Ireland aims to reduce fossil fuel dependence and meet its climate obligations, the Cork-based hub provides a model for regional investment, industry-academic collaboration, and long-term workforce planning in the renewable sector.
The establishment of the Offshore Wind Skills Training Hub in Cork marks a critical advancement in Ireland’s renewable energy journey. By equipping workers with the specialised skills needed for offshore wind, carbon capture, hydrogen, and wave energy, the hub not only supports national climate goals but also strengthens Ireland’s position as a leader in the global green energy transition. With industry, academia, and government working together, this initiative ensures that the south coast, particularly Cork, can serve as a cornerstone of innovation, job creation, and energy independence for decades to come.
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