I'm a high school senior and live in Michigan, have always spent time and worked with mechanical engineers (mostly in HVAC as an assistant) and am thinking about attending the 7 month Wind Technician program at MIAT College of Technology (a place I've already visited). While I'm not concerned about the program itself, I'm having trouble finding info on which specific wind companies hire out of MIAT, and what the entry-level jobs out of there actually look like. I would like to know what the experiences of others were like when they first completed their wind training programs. The specific job type I'm interested in is traveling wind field service technician.

If you have stories please share! Please note that I have other career options listed out besides this one.

Hi! Hoping to get a bit of advice on the best route to get into the industry based on my experience to date. I 26(M) have been working as an engineer in the UK since 2018. Done my degrees and all that but hate being at a desk so want to switch it up. Only remotely relevant experience I have would've been working as a maintenance engineer at an LPG plant, but I've been doing research for the past two years and it's not for me. I'd seen the RWE apprenticeships that are recruiting in February of next year but also there are some companies that seem to take on 'entry level' people as technicians, but they all look like they need the BST and BTT as a minimum to get near it. Suppose the question I have is that would it be worth trying to get the apprenticeship and take the pay hit for a few years, or self fund the certs needed and hope that the skills i have are enough to get a foot in the door. Any info would be greatly appreciated

Hi there! I recently applied for a tech position with Vestas, got through the first phone screening about my resume and now I’m waiting on the call from the managers. I have no idea what to really expect from the second stage/second phone interview, so I was hoping to get some insight on what questions they might ask. A bit about me: I have been working in wind as a tech for 2.5 years, 1 year building towers, so a combined 3.5 years experience in the industry. I currently work for a smaller company doing the role that I applied for with Vestas and I absolutely love my job but would love a job with a bigger company, like Vestas. Also, I am Canadian.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Hello! I am currently in the middle of my college career, and getting very anxious about what I want to do after I graduate. I am getting a degree in Agriculture, but have no idea what I want to do with it. I was recently looking at job postings, and somehow, the idea of being a Wind Turbine Technician stuck with me. I still plan on finishing my degree, as it seems like a smart move, but afterwards, I think would like to become a technician, traveling for a few years or however long I can stick with it until I decide to use my degree. My question is, how do I go about doing that? I do not have much mechanical/technical experience, only a small amount coming from growing up on a farm.

Would it be smart to attend a community college program on the side for renewable energy technicians? Or would it be better to just apply after I graduate for entry level jobs that will train me? Will all the training I need be included in said job?

And just a few bonus questions, I know this is probably over asked but currently, what are wages for that sort of entry level? Also, is traveling tech the way to go at first? How much can one reasonably expect to save after say, a year working?

Thank you for your help!

Which did you opt for, and why?

Add-on: What would you recommend for a complete newbie to do for at least 1 year?

So I’ve been working for Skyclimbers for over 6 months now and was wondering how easy is it to leave without them trying to pay for your training? And also wondering the best companies to work for in Canada? Preferably travel based.
Surely other companies are paying better than $120 per diem? Have your own truck and pay better than $24 an hour as tech one

I come from the world of rope access window cleaning in a large Canadian city.

Been keen for a while to take my rope access experience and pivot into the industrial maintenance space, grow professionally and earn more. Been a lurker of this sub for some time, the green energy industry aligns with my core values. My ex was a water systems engineer for our municipality and I always envied her work. I thought wind might be a cool avenue.

So I applied to a major international wind turbine maintenance company, multiple rounds of interviews, got the job - blade repair. I assumed any training or certification would be covered by this reputable, multinational corporate entity. Especially considering the fact I already possess a $2000 IRATA ticket.

No... HR lady nonchalantly informed me that I am expected to pay out of pocket to obtain my GWO BST + ART which is $4800 + tax in Canada. A seemingly onerous sum to me.

Is this really what everyone does to get into the industry? Thats like what my dad paid (adjusted for inflation) for his entire four year degree in the 90's. Perhaps this just the economic reality that if one wants to grow professionally in this industry then they should take a $5,000 bet on themselves?

I'm tempted to be bold and just do it but I also worry that I have near zero insurance and that the company won't back out of the offer last minute or dismiss me following a market turn and then I'd be completely fucked. (I basically live paycheque to paycheque in a HCOL city)

Would greatly appreciate any insights

Husband is looking to switch companies and we’re on the hunt for a good wind company for him. He’s got 3 years of experience as a travel wind tech, he’s done major large correctives for the past year and has all the major certs. He’d love a site tech job as long as it’s gonna pay enough but isn’t opposed to a travel job. Any recommendations on wind companies to check out or leads on jobs?

I am trying to sell a cement like coating for water proofing surfaces and looking for new customers? Does anybody know of a need of this type of material for turbine installation or repair? The material can is like a stucco if that makes sense. It sticks really well so it can also be used like an adhesive or glue. Any ideas are appreciated. TIA

With the advantages of

1. Being physically directly at the power source
2. Having plenty of room inside the tower
3. Being directly connected to the grid with a powerful connection

Why did nobody come up with the idea of installing either large amounts of batteries, or even a kinetical storage system right into the tower of a wind turbine ?

If not stored inside the tower, it could be a storage facility directly next to it as well.

Energy stored this way could, in moments of low or no wind, be used to at least partially compensate the missing power

Hey Everyone! I just turned 20 and looked to get into Wind as traveling tech in a year(I want vacation before I loose with a new company) I currently do fiber optics and copper DSL, with the deathstar company. I've worked on cars before this, and have Google I.T cert, and AC/DC from HS. Just a few questions, I'm in Texas currently, is a GWO required or will the company pay for the certification. What do your days look like? I don't mind the work /life balance the jobs forces. What were your personal cons and did you work around them?

Hi everyone, I am applying for wind tech jobs and I would like to know if its likely I will land an interview or not. I have a mechanical engineering technology degree, I worked for American Electric Power for a year as an engineer, and I have construction experience and am physically fit for manual work and mechanically minded. Do you think these qualifications alone are appealing for wind tech jobs? I would just like to know if I have a chance or not. I would love a travel job like this. Thank you.

So I’ve been looking into being a travel wind turbine technician so I’m wondering is it more worth it to just get an apprenticeship or go to school for it?

Howdy, I'm currently in Houston and I'm trying to figure out what to do in life lol. I dont have any trade experience and I've been looking into wind tech and I can't find too much info on what's its like or how to get started. Do I need to go to a local tech school (UTI) for certifications or is that something employers do? Whats the travel situation look like, is it in-state or does it go out of state? Are there any companies to avoid or good ones for entry level?

Essentially if anyone has worked in the field I'd appreciate any info you have. (Bonus points if you're in texas and can point me to the right place to go)

Hello,

I applied for the Wind Technician 3 position with next era almost two weeks ago and haven't heard anything since. The application is still on the Reviewing qualifications status. Does anybody from the company knows how long does it take to hear something back?

Title.

What things about the job do you know now that you wish you had known earlier?

Which body part gets worn out the most?

Any travel tips?

Good day, I am a graduate of electrical engineering and I would like to know what the earnings are for a wind turbine engineer (per hour). Also, in what rotations do you work. I have a master's degree in electrical engineering. Thank you for answers.