NJ Pathways Project Highlight: Offshore Wind Awareness Experiences Professional Development

Center of Workforce Innovation for Offshore Wind  

This Offshore Wind pilot program focused on expanding professional development in offshore wind and renewable energy. Expanding professional development in offshore wind and renewable energy for instructors allows for enhancing teacher knowledge in the fields. The development of guided train-the-trainer sessions promote effective teaching strategies, help teachers prepare and understand future career opportunities, connect students with professionals in the field and help remove any misconceptions related to the offshore wind and renewable energy fields. 

Cape May County Technical High School District (Cape May Tech) served as the professional development designer for high schools implementing the “Preparing for a Career in the Offshore Wind Industry” or the “Beach Town, USA” experiences. Professional development provided teachers from high schools with access to development instructors to help guide them through the curriculum and supply lists. Cape May Tech facilitated train-the-trainer sessions on January 11, January 24, February 7, and March 19 to help prepare teachers to implement the program in their classrooms. The training assisted in enhancing instructors’ instructional expertise in renewable energy. The Cape May Teach Train-the-trainer program helped teachers with the necessary skills to deliver engaging and practical instruction.