Additional Information
"Students should learn the basics of electricity as well as electromechanical
skills and mechanical skills," says Keith Plantier, instructional director
at Texas State Technical College. "It's critical that they understand not
only how a turbine operates, but what happens to the energy once it leaves
the turbine."
Safety is important, and many employers require all new employees to undergo
safety training - including how to rescue someone who may be injured inside
a tower. Most companies have regular safety meetings to ensure all employees,
both old and new, understand potential hazards of their particular assignments
and how to avoid those dangers.
Some companies train new hires, but a high-school education alone is usually
not enough to land a job as a wind turbine technician.
Many technical schools and junior colleges now have two-year programs that
educate students in all subjects wind turbine technicians need to know. Many
include certifications as well.
Some schools have actual towers students can climb to get acclimated to
the height they'll be working at within towers. At Texas State Technical College,
Plantier says, "When they get toward their third and fourth semesters, they
go up and work on the turbines just as a technician would." That might involve
routine maintenance, cleaning, or troubleshooting and diagnosing a fault.
Wind turbine technicians may be encouraged to attend workshops, seminars
and courses to stay up to date on wind energy technology.