Union carpenters in New Jersey are preparing for offshore wind with real-world training and safety protocols already in place.
Union carpenters are doing the work to lead the offshore wind revolution — and they’re ready to do more.
In a new opinion piece for OffshoreWind.biz, Olaf Olsen spotlights the growing role union carpenters are playing in building America’s offshore wind industry — with New Jersey as a key training ground.
The article highlights the efforts of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters), which has invested heavily in preparing its members for the unique challenges of offshore wind construction. That includes specialized safety protocols, high-angle rescue training, and the construction of mock turbine platforms at its state-of-the-art Hammonton training center.
“New Jersey is our training ground,” the piece declares — and it’s more than a slogan. From the New Jersey Wind Port to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, union carpenters are already on-site, helping build the infrastructure that will support offshore wind projects up and down the East Coast.
Olsen points out that labor agreements like PLAs (Project Labor Agreements) ensure not just safety and quality, but also opportunity. These union jobs offer strong wages, benefits, and career paths — especially for workers from historically underserved communities.
The message is clear: offshore wind can and should be built by skilled, local union workers who are already on the ground and ready to scale. With established training programs and existing project experience, the EAS Carpenters are making the case that they’re not just ready — they’re already leading.
📎 Read the full op-ed by Olaf Olsen
