Wind turbine technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• renewable energy engineering
• electrical or mechanical engineering
• electrical power engineering

It might give you an advantage if your course includes the opportunity to get work experience through summer internships or a year in industry.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, which could help you to get a trainee job with a wind turbine engineering company.

Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You could do an Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in electrical or mechanical engineering from another industry, or from the armed forces.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain tools and equipment
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• problem-solving skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of physics
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• observation and recording skills
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind farm turbines on land and at sea.

As a wind turbine technician, you could:

• install wind turbine towers on land or at sea
• fit electrical, mechanical and hydraulic equipment
• test turbine blades and control systems
• carry out maintenance, find faults and fix them
• run safety checks on electrical substations and cables
• complete safety reports and record job details

Location : You could work in remote rural areas or at sea.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £47,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is on call occasionally

Career Path:

You could become an authorised technician, with responsibility for supervising a technical team, and dealing with health and safety.

With further training, you could also work as:

• an operations and maintenance manager
• a control systems engineer
• an energy engineer