EDP’s Skills Energy Professionals scholarships will offer new career opportunities to young people in the wind energy sector
One in three young people find employment within the first six months, and half within the first year, after completing the training.
EDP, a leading renewable energy company, has launched the sixth edition of the Skills Energy Professionals programme together with Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) and in collaboration with the global wind energy solutions provider Vestas. The programme offers free theoretical and practical training for young people, equipping them to work in Spain's wind energy sector.
Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has had a growing impact: 126 young people have completed the training, with an employability rate of over 50% in the first year, and an average age of 22. The programme is part of EDP's commitment to the local communities in which it operates, aiming to encourage young people to stay in rural areas, boost employability, create local value and high-quality opportunities, and support the energy transition through specialised training.
This wind‑farm maintenance technician course is funded in full by EDP and supported by Vestas. This training programme is delivered by AEE and reflects its commitment to developing local talent, prioritising young people aged 18–30 who live in municipalities where EDP has wind farms in operation or is developing new renewable energy projects. EDP currently operates in Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, the Community of Madrid, Galicia and Navarre.
The programme offers 24 scholarships, and applications are now open until 13 April. From that date, candidates will be selected based on academic criteria. Training starts on 27 April and will provide participants with a Basic Occupational Health and Safety Certificate (AEE), as well as the GWO (Global Wind Organization) Basic Safety Training (BST) certification for working at height, in confined spaces and first aid – essential for working in the sector.
In total, the training comprises 180 hours in a blended format: the theory is delivered online, while the practical component is delivered in person at GWO‑accredited facilities and at one of Vestas’s operations and maintenance (O&M) centres in Spain—Viveiro (Lugo) or Centrovía (Zaragoza).
Alfredo Menéndez, Head of Community Engagement at EDP in Spain, says: “There is a growing need for qualified technicians in the wind sector across the country, creating a unique opportunity for young people. Through Skills Energy Professionals, we are boosting real employability in the areas where the wind farms are located, contributing to population retention and demonstrating that the energy transition also strengthens the lives and futures of our local communities.”
With more than 1,136 GW of installed capacity worldwide, wind energy is a fast-growing industry with excellent prospects for further growth. The sector offers strong employment opportunities, particularly in wind‑farm operations and maintenance, which are required across most of the country. The current energy transition will therefore require a significant number of professionals.
