Front Line: Green Energy Companies Building a Qualified Workforce

Historically, the working relationships between labor unions and employers have often been contentious and difficult. But some new partnerships between “green” energy companies and U.S. labor unions seem to be taking a more compatible approach.

New Apprenticeship Programs
In Milwaukee, Ingeteam, a Spanish-based manufacturer, which has been making wind turbine generators in the U.S. since 2010, announced a partnership with IBEW Local 2150, which represents 5,100 members in building transmission, utilities, and manufacturing.

Ingeteam’s Milwaukee plant is the only one in the U.S. that builds and repairs wind turbine generators, according to the company. Last October, Ingeteam asked the Local’s help in recruiting and training more workers, due to increased investment and deployment of turbines and greatly increased demand for repair services. The union worked with Ingeteam to start new apprenticeship programs focused on repair and assembly work.

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