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(BOSTON) – Vineyard Offshore, America’s leading offshore wind development company, and Oceantic Network are expanding their partnership with Foundation 2 Blade, the offshore wind industry’s most comprehensive training program for businesses ready to take advantage of opportunities in offshore wind’s supply chain. As part of its commitment to workforce development, Vineyard Offshore is providing $200k in funding to support this and other Oceantic Network programs. Several training courses have already occurred throughout the year, with remaining sessions through the end of 2024 and beyond. The next complimentary Foundation 2 Blade session for diverse New England Businesses will take place on May 21-23 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The three-day offshore wind training program is geared toward New England-based businesses owned by groups historically excluded from economic opportunities, including Tribal members, women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities. Over the course of multiple sessions, participants gain the tools, resources, and industry connections that prepare their businesses to successfully enter the offshore wind supply chain.

“In joining forces with Oceantic Network for initiatives like this one, we’re not just fostering a more inclusive and equitable offshore wind industry; we're actively empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs to seize the vast opportunities within it,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of Vineyard Offshore. “We’re thrilled to help cultivate a vibrant supply chain and champion economic empowerment and diversity at every level.”

“The size and complexity of the growing offshore wind ecosystem requires the contributions of many diverse business sectors, but it can be difficult and expensive for businesses to enter the industry on their own,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network. “We’re proud to partner with Vineyard Offshore to educate local businesses, create family-sustaining jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ultimately make the industry’s opportunities a reality.”

Since launching in 2020, the Network has graduated more than 2,000 professionals from federal regulatory agencies, state government, offshore wind developers, Tier 1 suppliers, and other businesses critical to the offshore wind supply chain.

In addition to the Foundation 2 Blade program, Vineyard Offshore’s $200k in funding is supporting the Network’s efforts to deliver its Offshore Wind Ready and Offshore Wind 101 educational training programs, each designed to help local companies and entrepreneurs learn about the offshore wind industry and how they can expand their business into the local supply chain.

The three-day Foundation 2 Blade training is free to eligible New England businesses ($2,095 value). Participants can learn more and register here.

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About Vineyard Offshore

Vineyard Offshore is leading the development of two lease areas in the Northeast, in addition to a lease area off the coast of Northern California, OCS-P 0562. Lease area OCS-A 522, known as Vineyard Northeast, is located off the coast of Massachusetts. OCS-A 544, known as Vineyard Mid-Atlantic and home to the Excelsior Wind Project, is located in the New York Bight. Combined with its joint venture development of the first-in-the-nation offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind 1, now under construction, Vineyard Offshore has the potential to develop more than 6 gigawatts of clean, renewable and affordable energy on the East and West Coasts of the United States.  To learn more, visit: www.vineyardoffshore.com.

About Oceantic Network

As a non-profit organization, the Oceantic Network’s driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 600+ members equip communities and nations to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities.

Media Contact: press@vineyardoffshore.com

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