How To Become A Wind Turbine Technician

It’s important that we always try our best to find our way in life, and so something new and exciting that might just be our calling. Thinking about a career shift? There’s always room to have more job satisfaction. Changing your career could make all the difference in your life, setting you up for new achievements and challenges on the road to success. Becoming a wind turbine technician or wind tech might just be the right choice for you. Let’s have a look at what it takes to be a member of the fast-growing wind turbine industry.

What Do Wind Turbine Technicians Do?

First off, the most important question is: what does a wind turbine technician do exactly? This job pays very well, with a median annual wage of around $52,260 in the United States. A higher wage is paid to more experienced technicians, but even rookies can make about $36000 a year. In return for this generous wage, there’s a lot of important work to be done. While they’re a reliable technology, wind turbines are prone to malfunctions every so often, so you must be ready to diagnose and fix any problem should it occur. Unintended shutdowns must be remedied fast. Your job description also includes things like inspecting towers, looking at the damage, testing, diagnostics, doing maintenance, and replacing parts. It’s a complex job, but also rewarding because of the sense of responsibility you have.

Do You Need a License?

Considering that it is a risky job, the question is an obvious one. Thankfully, in the U.S. nobody is required to have a special license for being a wind turbine technician. That being said, it’s helpful to enroll in a training program. This is the first step in a career as a wind turbine technician and will set you on course to get an apprenticeship at a wind turbine company. On training programs you’ll get hands-on experience, learning both in a classroom and out in the field at wind farms. Things you’ll be learning about include all the basics of maintenance, diagnostics, as well as everything about safety. This industry is all about heights.

How Much Education Do I Need?

If you’ve already completed a training program at a reputable school, you’ll have a way better chance of getting hired as a wind tech. At a technical school, future wind techs learn about hydraulic maintenance, electrical maintenance, mechanical systems (including blade inspection), braking systems, programmable logic control systems, and computers. Usually, along with coursework, wind tech students also receive more than 12 months of on-the-job training, which is an invaluable asset when it comes to getting a full-time job in this fast-evolving industry. It’s well worth the effort because you’ll be employed in one of the industries of the future, with little risk of unemployment. That being said, you’ve got to be detail-oriented, with an eye for fine detail, and have keen mechanical skills. Physical stamina is also definitely a must because wind-techs are required to climb to the tops of turbines, often having to carry all their tools with them. Strength is needed for this job because you’ll be hauling tools and equipment that can weigh up to 50 pounds.

The Outlook

Wind farms are appearing to become more and more common. It’s especially worth becoming a wind tech if you live anywhere around the American Great Plains or the Midwest because these areas are the windiest of regions in America. According to projections, the demand for wind turbine technicians is set to surge 61% in the U.S.A. between 2019 and 2029. By taking the time to graduate from a wind turbine training program, you’ll have hands-on knowledge in an industry in which experienced and reliable employees are always in demand. Our energy future is green, and you too can be part of the green energy revolution. It’s also never too late to retrain yourself, especially if you already have experience in mechanics, maintenance, or diagnostics. You too can participate in something bigger, helping bring forward the shift to renewables in a time when social and ecological responsibility is getting more and more important. Not only will you make good money, but you can also feel good about making the planet greener.

If you’re physically strong, have a feel for small moving parts, an eye for small details, a background in Information Technology, and really love the outdoors, becoming a wind tech is the right career move for you. Whether you’re starting out as a young employee or want to retrain yourself, learning to become a wind turbine technician could be the life-changing experience you’ve been waiting for.