Here’s a comprehensive list of what you need to do to become a wind turbine technician.
Number One: Make sure this is the right career for you.
Can you handle heights? Most wind turbines are about 300 ft tall. Don't worry, you're securely strapped in anytime you leave the ground and you frequently attend safety meetings.
Do you fit the requirements of the job? There is a weight restriction of 260 lbs and you must be physically able to climb the ladder up the tower. Employers look for candidates that can be licensed and bonded and can drive company vehicles. They also perform background checks and look for felonies or DUIs.
Are you a hands-on person? Do you like problem solving and troubleshooting? Windtechs maintain and repair wind turbines. They work with their hands and assess what needs to be fixed. Most of the time, techs work in tight spaces or outdoors in various weather conditions.
Click here to find out more about the job requirements.
If this sounds like the right job for you, let’s move on to the next step.
Number Two: The best way to ensure a career in this field is by finding a wind turbine tech school.
Pinnacle Career Institute offers a 40 week wind turbine training program that consists of 8 online classes and a 10-day boot camp in Kansas City, Missouri. The classes teach you everything you need to know to succeed in your new career, and they are online so you can complete your assignments at a time and place that fits in with your current schedule.
The boot camp is where you get your hands-on training with actual wind turbines. During your 10 days in Kansas City, you will perform tower climbs, self and coworker rescues. The boot camp is an important part of your program because it gives you the opportunity to get hands-on experience while still under professional supervision.
Number Three: Get your Wind Turbine Certification.
During our boot camp, you will take the following certification exams:
-American Heart Association CPR/AED/First Aid
-OSHA 10 Safety Certification
-Global Wind Certification Working at Heights Certification
-HyTorc Bolting Safety Certification
Number Four: Use what you have learned to find a career in the industry.
Once you finish the program and earn your certifications, you are ready to go. PCI has relationships with several companies that want to hire people who have gone through our training. These companies include: Vestas, Siemens, GE, Fusion Solutions, Ericsson, Skyclimber, Broadwind Energy and Tradesman International.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job employment outlook for wind turbine technicians is projected to grow 61% by 2029. This is huge! Wind energy is a growing industry.
Your education at Pinnacle will help you soar in your new career… pun intended.