Wareham to Host Offshore Wind Opportunity Forum

The offshore wind industry is here and looking to hire serious people for a variety of jobs, both shoreside and on the water. "Access2Opportunity" forums have been held in New Bedford, and now one is scheduled for Wareham.

Vineyard Wind is sponsoring the event on August 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post #2846, located at 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road in Onset.

John "Buddy" Andrade grew up in Wareham and heads the Minority Action Committee and Old Bedford Village Development Corp. He's working with Vineyard Wind and others to encourage local residents to seek out careers in the wind industry.

"I've been doing workforce development on the SouthCoast since 1973, so it's a no-brainer to be involved with the offshore wind industry," Andrade said.

Training programs are already up and running locally in places like Bristol Community College, Mass Hire, PACE, Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School and more. Andrade said what the industry needs is trained American workers to do the job.

Andrade said he does not receive a paycheck from the wind industry, but Old Bedford Village has received grants to organize and conduct "Access2Opportunity" forums in New Bedford and other local communities.

Representatives from the industry and local training programs will be present in Onset on the 18th to provide information and give those interested a pathway to a job and perhaps a career.

Vineyard Wind is only the first company to begin work in the North Atlantic. Andrade said there are six other companies eyeing ocean tracts off New England.

"If you don't get a job, it's because you didn't apply yourself and don't have the qualifications needed, like a high school diploma, drivers license, a good CORI check and passing a drug test," he said.

"I believe in this. The only way to turn around future of this region is economic development," Andrade said.

The complete Townsquare Sunday interview with John "Buddy" Andrade can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a community affairs program heard Sundays at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on WBSM.

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