On July 31, the Japanese government published its Strategic Industry Cluster Plans, reported to the Prime Minister \u2014 a new policy to build strategic industry clusters in regions across Japan.<\/p>\n
The Offshore Wind Strategic Industry Cluster Plan (Kyushu Region) covers three cities \u2014 Kitakyushu, Saikai, and Nagasaki \u2014 and aims to build an offshore wind industry hub in Kyushu serving the Asia-Pacific market, based on three pillars: port infrastructure, regional supply chains, and workforce development.<\/p>\n
In this plan, Nagasaki Ocean Academy (NOA) and NOA TRAINING, operated by our association (NaMICPA), are officially designated as key institutions for workforce development. This is also cited as one of the reasons Nagasaki City was selected as a target area, alongside its shipbuilding industry.<\/p>\n
The background is a serious talent shortage: Japan currently has about 4,000 offshore wind professionals, but an estimated 15,700 will be needed by 2030 and 48,500 by 2050. The plan sets targets of training approximately 4,700 people in Kyushu by 2030 and 14,700 by 2040 \u2014 with our programs at the center of this effort.<\/p>\n
Nagasaki is also seeing major industry momentum, including investment in mass production of floating foundations and an offshore wind farm project off Ejima, Saikai City. Our mission is to complete the cycle: industry grows, jobs are created, and the people to fill them are trained here in Nagasaki.<\/p>\n
What began as a local initiative is now part of the national strategy. We will continue training the people who will power Japan’s offshore wind future \u2014 from Nagasaki.<\/p>\n