Interested in a career in the renewable energy industry? Want to make a difference in the transition to renewables including wind energy? In as little as 7 months, you can become an entry-level wind turbine technician. Employment of wind turbine technicians is expected to grow 57 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. is moving toward replacing fossil fuel with more environmentally friendly energy creation, so becoming a wind turbine technician is a career that will continue to grow throughout the next few decades.
What is Involved in a Wind Turbine Technician Career?
Those graduating from a trade school in a wind turbine technician program are prepared for an entry-level career. Graduates work in service, manufacturing, construction, commissioning and sales positions. Some of the job titles include wind service technician, windtech, control room operator, and wind turbine sales representative.
Although some wind turbine technicians are involved in building new wind turbines, most maintain existing ones. Wind turbines technicians work on the wind turbines themselves on site and they are also monitored remotely 24 hours a day. When a problem arises on a company’s wind turbine, the technician will travel out to the remote location, inspect components and lubricate parts. Some of the wind farms are located in rural areas so expect travel in this career.
Wind turbine technicians typically work full time during regular business hours. There may however be an emergency during the evening or weekend which keeps some wind turbine technicians on call.
What Does a Wind Turbine Technician Do?
Wind turbine technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. Wind turbine technicians typically do the following:
- Inspect the exterior and physical integrity of wind turbines
- Inspect or repair wind turbine equipment
- Use safety harnesses and power tools to maintain wind turbines
- Perform routine maintenance
- Diagnose electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems
- Replace worn or malfunctioning parts
- Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis
How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind turbines use wind to make electricity. Wind turns the three propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator and creates electricity, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Wind energy is created by using the aerodynamic force from the three rotor blades. Similar to an airplane wing, the difference in air pressure across the two sides of the rotor blade creates both lift and drag. These forces of lift and drag spin the rotor. The rotor connected to the generator speeds up the rotation, and the translation of aerodynamic force to rotation of a generator creates electricity.
What Training Do I Need for a Career in Wind Turbine Tech?
Trade schools offer training in wind turbine technology through comprehensive wind turbine technician programs. Graduates will take classes in mechanical, electrical, sales and safety. They will learn how to use hand and power tools to troubleshoot problems.
There is also on the job training for entry level graduates. Many energy companies have extensive training programs to learn from experienced employees. New technicians will also learn the specific nuances of the company’s wind turbines. There are many different wind turbine manufacturers that use different components. Currently, the top manufacturer of wind turbines is Vestas, located in Denmark. The biggest U.S. manufacturer of wind turbines is General Electric. Although there are standard components and parts, many wind turbines are built with proprietary information.
Does a career as a wind turbine technician interest you? Want to have the power of an entire nation at your fingertips? The Wind Turbine Technician Program from MIAT College of Technology provide the hands-on training, practical experience and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career in just 7 months. Wind turbine technicians must inspect and service a turbine’s blades on a regular basis. This is done by entering the turbine through the base of the tower and climbing a ladder or riding an elevator up through the tower shaft. Depending on the task at hand, technicians may be suspended hundreds of feet in the air! When needed, it’s not uncommon for helicopters to raise wind turbine technicians up to the desired working height.
MIAT’s goal is to produce graduates who are in the top echelon of their initial on-the-job training due to the foundational knowledge they receive at MIAT. To learn more about Energy Technology career training and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page.
Contact us if you are interested in becoming a wind turbine technician today.
For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of the students who attended this program visit the following disclosure links:
Canton:
Associate’s Degree in Energy Technology
Undergraduate Certificate in Energy and Industrial Technology
Houston:
Associate’s Degree in Energy Technology
Undergraduate Certificate in Energy and Industrial Technology