Becoming a wind turbine technician is a career that has the potential to help you make a real difference in the world. However, it’s also a tough industry to break into. Finding the right training program can be hard and even harder to land your first job after graduating. That’s why here is put together this guide on how to become a wind turbine technician—to ensure you’re getting the right education and experience needed for success!
Step 1: Obtain an Associate’s Degree
The first step to becoming a wind turbine technician is obtaining an associate’s degree in either wind or mechanical engineering. Completing this program will give you the skills necessary to work on turbines and get paid well for it. You can also earn a certificate in wind engineering, which will teach you how to install, maintain and troubleshoot turbines across the country.
Several schools around the country offer these programs at all levels: community colleges, technical schools and traditional universities all offer them. If you don’t want to spend two years in school just yet but still want some formal wind turbine technician training before entering this field, then National Wind Institute offers online wind technician courses as well!
Step 2: Get Hired as a Technician
The second step is getting hired as a technician. To do this, you need to look for job openings in your area—or wherever you plan on living after school. Once you find an opening that sounds interesting, apply for it and make sure your resume meets the requirements needed by the employer. If they ask for references from previous employers, make sure to get one!
Step 3: Complete On-the-Job Training
You will have to complete on-the-job training. This is a part of your job and it’s free, so don’t worry about that part. The employer will provide you with all the necessary training, but it may vary from employer to employer.
If you are lucky enough and get into a good wind turbine technician school, then the training might last for several months and even up to 1 year, depending on how many classes they offer each semester. However, if you choose a poor school, then your chances are higher of getting a lower quality education or even no education at all!
Step 4: Earn Voluntary Certifications
Voluntary certification is a type of credential that can be earned by passing an exam. Voluntary certifications are often offered by companies, organizations, or trade associations to provide a way for their members to demonstrate their knowledge or skill level in a specific area. For example, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence offers voluntary certifications in lean manufacturing, project management and quality control.
As per a technician training expert Universal Technical Institute, “Nowadays, more and more emphasis is being placed on generating energy with cost-efficient, environmentally friendly sources. This has created a variety of career avenues that can be pursued in the energy industry.”
Becoming a wind turbine technician requires years of training. If you have the right determination and dedication, it is possible to achieve this goal.
