(Burlington, New Jersey) Marine services provider US Offshore announced their formal partnership with Kanda, leading renewable energy training software developer, to provide digital training solutions to the US Offshore Wind (OSW) market. This partnership comes at a critical time when the success of the rapidly developing industry simultaneously requires large-scale offshore and onshore workforce development solutions, increased OSW awareness, and meaningful local stakeholder engagement.
Since its founding, US Offshore has leveraged its global OSW and telecommunications project experience to support community workforce development, supplier diversity, and other local content initiatives in the US. This has included the company’s role as founding member of the Equity + Environmental Justice Center, a social equity collective of public-private partners dedicated to advancing equity and environmental justice through innovative funding strategies, corporate social responsibility, and placemaking.
As a next phase of the company’s commitment to the industry, US Offshore has launched New Jersey-based 40North Solutions to provide clean energy business training and focus exclusively on the collaboration with Kanda and US workforce and community development.
“As a US company with an international track record, we know the importance of local content in the successful delivery of OSW and other infrastructure projects. The OSW industry in this country is no different, and strong local content begins with awareness and training,” says Monica St Claire, CEO of US Offshore. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Kanda, as well as training facilities, State Agencies, OSW Developers, OEMs, and community stakeholders to provide this modern, more accessible, and more affordable way to expand pathways to OSW employment and economic benefit, so anyone can develop along with the industry.”
Kanda, a Danish company, is a global leader in digital and virtual reality (VR) training solutions, including the primary international provider of international digital training to a majority of the world’s offshore original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In 2023, Kanda launched the first fully digital course that is assessed by DNV to follow Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards. GWO is an international non-profit organization that provides a standardized safety training and certification program for the wind industry. The GWO organization was established by leading wind turbine manufacturers and operators to create a safer work environment for individuals working in the wind energy sector. Kanda offers a growing catalog of Basic Technical Training (BTT) courses, as well as other modules that are used to give people of all ages and backgrounds exposure to OSW environments and simulations.
“We are excited and proud to be part of the clean energy transition in the US. Our partnership with US Offshore and 40North Solutions allows us to bring the best and latest global OSW training standards and experience to support the ongoing workforce development efforts happening across the country,” says Kristian Andreasen, Founder & CEO of Kanda.
US Offshore and Kanda’s partnership announcement immediately precedes US Offshore’s formal announcement of the US Offshore Pathways Fund, a community benefit investment and workforce development program that will incorporate Kanda’s VR platform to expand the reach and accessibility of OSW awareness and training for US youth and adults. The US Offshore Pathways Fund will launch with a commitment of ensuring at least 50% of awardees are located within environmental justice communities. The US Offshore Pathways Fund program will be managed by supplier diversity and infrastructure development firm, MRV Group.
US Offshore Pathway Fund has already started to deploy in the market with corporate and community partners including Helberg Electrical Supply, Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Spin The Yard Foundation, Long Beach Martin Lurther King Jr. Center, Techoforce and Life Four Corners Child Development Center.
About US Offshore
US Offshore is a women-owned, US-based international provider of marine services to renewable energy, telecommunication, and industry clients, including Shore End landfalls, subsea cable inspection and repairs, commercial diving, and technical project management and engineering. (www.us-offshore.com)
About Kanda
Kanda is a Danish software company that builds digital simulators for complex industries, updating learning facilities and classrooms with easily accessible, and highly affordable training solutions. In 2023, Kanda became the first digital training developer to provide GWO-certifiable courses, with more slated for launch in 2024. (www.kanda.dk)
About 40North Solutions
40North Solutions is a NJ-based supplier of clean energy-focused business and training solutions and the exclusive distributor of the Kanda training platform in the US. (www.40north.solutions)
