Wind turbine technician

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• renewable energy engineering
• electrical or mechanical engineering
• electrical power engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can do a college course, which can help you to get a trainee job with a wind turbine engineering company. Courses include:

• Level 3 Certificate in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can do an engineering technician, or maintenance and operations engineering technician, advanced apprenticeship.

You can also complete a higher apprenticeship in manufacturing engineering: wind generation.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in electrical or mechanical engineering from another industry, or from the armed forces.

Career tips

Demand for wind turbine technicians is predicted to grow over the next 10 years, with older wind farms being replaced or refurbished, as they come to the end of their working lives.

Further information

You can discover more about a career as a wind turbine technician from RenewableUK.

You'll need:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain tools and equipment
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• problem-solving skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass background checks
• have a full driving licence

You'll also need safety training to work on wind turbines. This could include sea survival if you're working offshore. Employers will advise you on what's required.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• install wind turbine towers on land or at sea
• fit electrical, mechanical and hydraulic equipment
• test turbine blades and control systems
• carry out planned maintenance work
• find faults and fix them
• record job details and fill in safety reports
• run safety checks on electrical substations and cables

You could work in remote rural areas or at sea.

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.