About
Gender diversity drives innovation, opens new pathways for technology deployment, brings valuable perspectives to social and economic development and provides a richer pool of talent for key and emerging industries. In the landscape of global issues requiring strong leadership and a skilled workforce, few areas are as critical as the transition to a sustainable energy system.Â
Yet, as documented in the January 2020 report “Wind energy: A gender perspective,” released by IRENA and Women in Wind, the wind energy industry continues to be male-dominated. Around 21 per cent of the global wind energy workforce is women, falling below the 32 per cent share of women in the global renewables workforce and even the 22 per cent share of women in the conventional energy sector workforce, according to IRENA’s 2019 report “Renewable energy: a gender perspective.”
The IRENA/Women in Wind report “Wind energy: A gender perspective” also reflected a dire leadership gap, with only 8 per cent of senior management roles in the global wind energy sector held by women. The majority of women occupy roles in administration and non-STEM occupations in wind energy.
Features
A dedicated program of training and mentoring for women in the wind industry, aimed at providing its participants with global perspectives, multidisciplinary experience and the network to advance to leadership positions
A network of mentors among leading women in the wind industry
A comprehensive education program that can be expanded upon year-on-year, incorporating the latest technology developments and best practices from the industry, to cover the areas of policy and advocacy, project management, project financing, turbine engineering and more
A platform to assist leading companies in the sector in identifying talent and reaching new gender equality benchmarks, allowing them to fully leverage their human resources
A growing network of alumni who can serve as mentors for the future generation of women entering the industry over the next decade, as wind becomes one of the world’s dominant energy sources
Timeline for 2024 Program
22 April - 24 May 2024
Applications open for the 2024 program
May - June 2024
Mentees are selected from the public application pool
August 2024 - February 2025
Successful applicants will be matched with a dedicated mentor and take part in the year-long program
What is included?
A mentorship program with monthly virtual meetings
A specially designed learning and development program, with knowledge transfer webinars and skill-building elements for leadership, communication, presentation and industry visibility
A study tour, including workshops, networking, high-level seminars, and interactions with key institutions within the wind sector.
Network-building opportunities at major international energy events
An achievement ceremony for program completion
Who can apply?
Diversity in background and geography are driving principles of the program. In its sixth year of operation in 2024, the program will welcome more participants than ever across all sectors, including accepting applications from three new emerging markets for wind: China, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Making the case for diversity in developing countries and emerging markets is a core principle of the program. Applicants must be citizens or residents of the following emerging markets for wind power: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam
Applications for the 2024 edition are now closed
Contacts
Program Information
Jeanette Gitobu
jeanette.gitobu@gwec.net
Partnerships
Marina Prado Romera
marina.pradoromera@gwec.net
Media Enquiries
Alex Bath
alex.bath@gwec.net