Last year, GEV Wind Power kickstarted the WindWOMEN initiative in support of the growing interest expressed by young women seeking careers within the wind sector, and the increasing need for qualified technical skills within the industry.
On International Women’s Day 2026, we are taking a look at the progress we’ve made through this initiative, and the ways we’ve been inspiring interest within our own workplace.
School Engagement - Raising Awareness
We recognise that lasting change happens by sparking interest early and initiating conversations that inspire young individuals long before they think about writing a CV. Our ‘grass roots’ programme is the foundation of building curiosity early, meeting students where they are and opening their eyes to the possibility of career paths in renewables.
Over the last 12 months, the GEV team has engaged with a number of local schools, colleges and careers events to raise awareness, build interest, and break down stigmas, one conversation at a time.
Since the launch of GEV’s initiative, we’ve already connected with over 1,000+ young people in total across all activities.
We’ve engaged in careers events reaching around 150 students at a time. We’ve delivered project days and presentation sessions. We’ve sat across from students in mock interviews, giving them a taste of what it actually feels like to go for a role in the industry. We’ve visited schools simply to have honest conversations about who works in wind, what the job looks like day to day, and why there is a place in it for them, regardless of background, gender, or what they’ve been told a technical career looks like.
Inspiring New Talent To Power The Industry
We believe in the importance of diversity and inclusion, and we recognise the need for more women in the industry as the wind market continues to grow.
Meet Emily, and aspiring engineer and one of the students who we connected with at a regional college visit. Emily reached out to express her interest in pursing a technician apprenticeship with GEV and her story is one of many that inspire us to continue developing new opportunities and raise awareness for young individuals interested in the technical field.
Emily was keen to learn more about the career paths available within the renewable sector, and had the opportunity to join a recent site visit at GEV’s training academy in Blyth for a day.
During her visit, she watched real training take place, understanding what a technician role looks like up close, and getting a feel for the environment she could one day be working in.
The Blyth Training facilities play a key role in GEV Wind Power’s ‘Open Mic’ initiative, allowing new-to-industry technicians to showcase their skills in a safe and secure environment, utilising an indoor suspended blade and a full-sized decommissioned wind turbine for rope access practice and blade repair applications.
Reflecting on the trip, Emily shared: ‘I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to GEV Wind Power for inviting me to Blyth to see first-hand how they train their wind turbine technicians. I truly appreciated the experience and found it both valuable and enjoyable. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into the level of technical expertise, safety standards, and hands-on experience that go into developing the next generation of skilled engineers within the renewable energy sector.
Seeing the facilities and training environment up close was both inspiring and informative, and it was great to learn more about the practical pathways into the industry.’
Internal Development Programmes
WindWOMEN isn’t only about the pipeline into the industry. It’s equally about what happens once women are here, and how we invest in long term growth. Internally, GEV has a growing number of women in back-office roles who are pursuing degrees and apprenticeship qualifications alongside their day-to-day work, developing skills that will shape the next chapter of their careers. Alongside this, GEV recently launched its mentorship programme connecting colleagues with senior leaders across the business and wider industry, giving women access to valuable insight, guidance, and honest conversation to support personal and professional development.
Whether it’s supporting someone through an apprenticeship, pairing them with a mentor who can open new doors, or simply creating a culture where ambition is encouraged regardless of gender, these things matter. We’re proud of the women who are pushing themselves to grow within our company, and we’re committed to making sure GEV is a place where that growth is genuinely supported.
Conclusion
Today is an opportunity to celebrate the women in our workforce, who have challenged traditional barriers, brought new perspectives, and excelled in the wind industry.
It is also a chance to acknowledge the efforts of those who help to build an inclusive space where we can collectively empower one another and continue to seek positive change for the future. Through initiatives such as WindWOMEN, we strive to continue fostering workplaces where everyone can thrive and welcome new talent into the industry.
Creating an encouraging, supportive, and motivating working environment is a collective effort we can all contribute to.
