WindEurope 2026: Students explore job profiles in wind

Around 1,000 students from 36 countries participated in this year's edition of the WindEurope Student Programme, exploring job profiles, latest trends and career opportunities in wind energy. The Programme did not only allow students to attend the WindEurope Annual Event 2026. Students got to participate in a variety of interactive sessions, networking events and site visits - and they even created their own video content. A notable feature of this year's Programme was the participation of VET students, highlighting WindEurope's growing engagement with vocational and educational institutions.

The wind industry employs over 440,000 people in Europe today. This number is set to increase to over 600,000 by 2030. Re- and upskilling is a valid option to enable employees from other sectors to work in wind. But many of those circa 150,000 new positions will be taken up by young talent currently in education.

The WindEurope Student Programme aims to attract students to pursue a career in wind. The three-day Programme allowed around 1,000 students from 228 universities and polytechnical universities as well as 15 vocational training centres to attend the WindEurope Annual Event 2026 in Madrid. The Programme different highlighted career paths in wind energy and helped facilitate exchange between industry and educational institutions.

Mariana Batista, Head of Education and Skills at WindEurope, said: "Europe's wind industry has a major role to play in delivering a more competitive, secure and electrified energy system, but that depends on having the right people and skills in place. That's why the WindEurope Student Programme matters. It helps show the breadth of opportunities in wind, from engineering and operations to digital and environmental roles."

Active engagement and participation

Students did not only attend in the WindEurope Annual Event 2026. The Student Programme offered a wide range of activities for active participation: from networking events to industry discussions and guided tours. Students gained insights into job roles, industry demands, and future trends.

One of the key themes of this year's WindEurope Annual Event was combatting wind energy dis- and misinformation. WindEurope published a dedicated report. The Student Programme also explored this theme: students participated in a video project on dis- and misinformation, creating their own content to refute false claims and misperceptions.

Strong vocational and training school engagement

Many attractive jobs in the wind sector don't require a university degree. Vocational and training schools can be an evenly strong entry ticket to a career in wind. In fact, more than half of Europe's wind energy workforce are graduates of vocational and training schools.

This year's Student Programme integrated delegation and industry visits as well as internship opportunity sessions specifically dedicated to VET students. Already a day before the start of the Annual Event, Student Programme partner RES organised a delegation visit that allowed VET school students to visit RES's blade refurbishment training centre.

WindEurope is committed to further expand the successful collaboration with vocational and technical students for upcoming events.

This year student programme was brought to students by Hitachi Energy and RES. For more impressions from the WindEurope 2026 Student Programme watch the video from content creator Maksym Jeziorny (Beyond Wind):