Blog post -
Army Veterans in Wind: #1. From U.S. Navy to Wind Turbine Technician
We have collected a series of inspiring stories about GWS colleagues who all joined the wind industry with a military background.
In our first story, we meet Bryan from our American unit who tranferred from the U.S. Navy to a career in wind.
Background: Former Military Personnel in Wind.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are more than 10,000 veterans currently working in the wind industry, making up 9% of the total workforce. It's the second fastest-growing job in America. Meanwhile, in Europe, there is a need for at least 150,000 more workers in the wind industry, aiming to grow the current workforce of 300,000 to over 450,000 in the next 8 years.
Wind turbine technicians are crucial in the wind industry today. However, as demand increases, there's a shortage of skilled technicians. At Global Wind Service (GWS), we believe it's our shared responsibility in the industry to bring in new colleagues from other industrie to grow the workforce.
One way we do this is by helping people from other industries with transferable skills, like the Military, transition into roles in the wind industry.
At Global Wind Service, we're proud to have a strong team of ex-military professionals. They bring valuable skills and experience to various roles, from technicians to back-office positions. We are highly committed to supporting ex-military personnel as they move into civilian careers. In the UK alone, over 14,000 personnel leave the military each year. That's why we take part in events and job fairs to offer guidance and help them explore new career opportunities.
Bryan's journey of adventure and growth.
After 8 years serving in the US Navy and another 5 years on the flight deck and as a firefighter, Bryan was ready for a change. It was during a chance encounter with his former Navy colleague, Brennan, who was working at Global Wind Service (GWS), that Bryan's path toward a career in the wind industry began. With his background and sense of adventure, Bryan found the promising opportunities in wind energy irresistible.
Moving from one industry to another can be daunting, but Bryan quickly discovered that many skills he learned in the Navy were transferable to his new role as a wind turbine technician. Attention to detail, a crucial skill for the job, was something he had developed significantly during his time in the military. According to Bryan, "Thankfully, there are plenty of transferable skills from my service that are applicable to this job."
Bryan's journey with GWS began in 2020 when he joined the company as a new wind turbine technician. He was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming atmosphere at GWS, which made him feel like part of a close-knit family from the start. Bryan remarks, "With GWS, you're accepted right away. As soon as you step through the door, you become part of the family." The camaraderie and support at GWS resembled the experience of being in the military.
