The goal is ambitious: By 2030 the EU aims to build up its wind energy generation capacity to a total of 425 GW. The current capacity is 272 GW. From development engineers to designers, and from maintenance technicians to IT specialists, it will take many highly skilled and committed professionals to achieve this logistical objective. Furthermore, the wind sector faces tough competition from other industries when it comes to recruiting skilled labour. “To get the young generation interested in entering the wind energy sector, we must appeal to their passion for sustainability and technology,” says Andreas Arnheim, WindEnergy Hamburg Director. “I believe: The prospect of contributing to a clean energy system that is fit for the future is an unbeatable incentive,” Arnheim adds.
Building the future together
By hosting the Recruiting Days on 26 and 27 September, the world’s leading wind industry expo wants to encourage interested career entrants, professionals and qualified career changers to become part of the energy transition – and put them in touch with potential employers. Admission is free for secondary school pupils, university students and trainees.
“Demand is so strong that the area in Hall A3 we had originally earmarked for this purpose turned out to be too small,” Andreas Arnheim is happy to say. Up to 60 exhibiting companies will now seize the opportunity to highlight their employer brand on the upper level of Hall B3, including such well-known organisations as energy giant RWE, the main sponsor of the Recruiting Forum; classification society DNV; the scientific research organisation Fraunhofer IWES; the energy co-operative Prokon; project developers wpd; or the wind turbine manufacturer Enercon. "As a leading international trade fair, WindEnergy Hamburg is of central importance for wpd and it opens up a wide range of recruiting opportunities for us. The trade fair is an ideal place to present ourselves as an employer and to make contacts,” says Björn Nullmeyer, CFO at wpd.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, agrees with this assessment: “The Recruiting Days at WindEnergy Hamburg are particularly important for us, as they give us the opportunity to engage with passionate, motivated, and skilled individuals across all career stages in the green energy sector.”
Inspiration for more diversity
At the Recruiting Forum, professionals and young talents can attend insightful keynote speeches and presentations on career paths and career entry. Furthermore, companies can use the forum to introduce themselves to job seekers. This is a convenient opportunity for young talents: They can learn about various job profiles and find out what to expect in specific roles. “We are also hoping that this event format will engage the interest of pupils in MINT jobs at an early time,” says WindEnergy Hamburg Director Arnheim. According to a report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the share of women in the renewable energy sector is currently 32 per cent. “This figure shows there is room for improvement,” says Arnheim. “The Recruiting Days may lend fresh impetus to such efforts.”
Whether male, female or diverse, Christian Heinen, Vice President People & Culture at Nordex Group, ultimately speaks for the entire industry when he says: “Meet the NORDEX GROUP at WindEnergy Hamburg at the Recruiting Days and join our team! The energy transition needs your expertise to help shape a sustainable future!”
About WindEnergy Hamburg
Every two years one of the most fascinating industries meets for the leading global networking event for wind energy: At WindEnergy Hamburg, which takes place right in the heart of the vibrant northern German port city, around 1,500 companies from 40 countries present their innovations and solutions in ten exhibition halls to up to 40,000 visitors from 100 different nations. Covering 73,500 m² across the exhibition campus, equipment manufacturers and suppliers representing all stages of the onshore and offshore wind energy value chain provide a comprehensive overview of the market. The trade fair is accompanied by conference sessions where top-ranking experts address the industry's current key topics. The WindEnergy Hamburg team develop this programme jointly with their partners, including the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the European organisation WindEurope, the national industry associations VDMA and BWE, leading industry media, and companies from the wind energy sector. From 24 until 27 September 2024, all conference sessions will take place free of charge on five open stages located inside the exhibition halls.
