A new profession comes with a lot of excitement. It makes you hopeful of achieving your dreams and is a better way of discovering your hidden potential. That’s why you shouldn’t fear changing your profession from the HVAC industry to the wind turbine technician field.
The wind turbine technician is a good profession in demand since the wind energy industry keeps growing. It attracts good salaries as more people adopt clean energy and sustainable living.
But what are the requirements to enroll for wind turbine technician training, and which school can you join? This guide helps you understand all you need to become a certified professional in this field, salary ranges, and job duties.
Wind Turbine Technician Training Schools
If you decide to change from the HVAC industry to the wind turbine technician field, you must return to school. You can enroll in any Wind Turbine Technician Training School around you and pursue either a degree or certificate program.
You can register for this program at Texas State Technical College for 12 months for a certificate in wind energy technician training. Alternatively, you can opt for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Wind Energy Technology for 20 months in the same college.
Kirkwood Community College also offers the Energy Production and Distribution Technologies Program for 2 years. But if you’re near the Kalamazoo Valley Community College, you can register for a Wind Turbine Technician Academy Program that takes less than 6 months.
The Cloud County Community College is also a good school for you in Kansas. It offers a 2-year Associate Applied Science Degree and a Certificate in Wind Energy Technician for 1 year.
Wind Turbine Training Requirements
After identifying the right school you want to pursue your new career in, it’s time to examine the requirements. First, identify the best program that meets your needs before enrolling in any school. Remember, a certificate program has different requirements from a degree program.
Most colleges require students to have a high school diploma or GED certificate to pursue this course. It is advisable to confirm with your preferred school to know the requirements of each program.
However, you must be ready to learn and use your hands as this field requires skills to excel. You must also be ready to pay fees which depend on the college you opt for and the program. For example, a Texas State Technical College wind energy technician certificate program at Texas State Technical College costs less than $9000.
Certifications Available
Various colleges around offer certificate and degree programs in wind turbine technician training. However, before enrolling in any school, do due diligence and search whether the institution is accredited to offer the program.
Also, search whether the program you are about to start is accredited. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy WINDExchange recognize about 200 technician programs in the USA.
The certifications you can earn after successful completion of any wind turbine technician training include:
- OSHA 30
- Tower Climb
- First aid/CPR
The certifications help the professionals prove they meet the requirements and standards that allow them to work anywhere. Note that apart from the professional bodies, some colleges also issue certification as part of their curriculum.
Job Duties of a Wind Turbine Technician
After successful training in the wind turbine technician program expects to get a job and be assigned duties. Your duties can include the following:
- Inspect and repair wind turbines
- Maintaining wind turbine components like the electrical hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
- Install wind turbines
- Troubleshooting wind turbine components.
- Collect data while working in the turbine for analysis and research.
Your work will be mainly outdoors in confined areas, which is great for an adventurous person.
Salary Ranges
The wind power industry is lucrative and keeps growing. Its market size is $136.2 billion and is expected to grow by 9.6% in 2023. So, with a certificate or degree in wind turbine technician, you won’t have challenges getting a job and a good salary.
The salary range will depend on your experience, education level and location. The company you’re working for also determines your salary.
As of May 2020, these professionals earned an average of $56,260 and $77,810 annually. However, since the industry keeps growing, expect a salary rise. The average salary for wind turbine technicians in the USA is $66,933, while the median salary is $62,087.
Bottom Line
As the wind energy industry grows, take the bold step and change careers. You can change from your HVAC industry and make good money as a wind turbine technician.
But you must enroll in a wind turbine technician training school and get the right certification. Look for the nearest wind turbine technician training school around you and enroll in a degree or certificate program.
