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Wind Turbine Apprenticeships
What is Wind Turbine Engineering?
In a recent report1, it was estimated that the UK needs 400,000 new jobs in the energy industry in order for the country to become net zero by 2050. Net zero means that the amount of greenhouse gases produced is the same or lower than the emissions removed from the Earth’s atmosphere.
60,000 of those jobs are forecast to be required in onshore and offshore wind farms, as more and more of our electricity comes from renewable energy.
There are several routes to becoming a wind turbine engineer, but what does a wind turbine apprenticeship involve?
How do wind turbine apprenticeships work?
Wind turbine engineers plan, design and oversee the building of wind-generated power plants. They analyse the best locations for sites, research and design new wind farms, oversee production programmes for new sites, manage technicians and site workers, and design and select suitable equipment.
Wind turbine technicians install, test and fit wind turbine towers on both onshore and offshore sites. Technicians undertake maintenance checks and carry out repairs if required. A career in wind turbine engineering usually starts with a role as a technician.
Several energy companies, such as RWE, Rampion and Ørsted, run wind turbine apprenticeship programmes. These are Level 3 or Advanced apprenticeships, so are open to applicants aged 16 and above with five GCSE passes at grades 9-4 (A*-C).
How long are wind turbine apprenticeships?
Wind turbine technician apprenticeships generally take three years to complete.
How much will I earn as a wind turbine apprentice?
The salaries that wind turbine technician apprentices can earn will vary from scheme to scheme. Some companies, like RWE, operate a tiered pay scale, so that as apprentices progress through every year of their programme of training they will earn more. Currently a final year wind turbine apprentice should expect to earn in the region of £20,000-£23,000.
What types of wind turbine apprenticeships are available?
To become a wind turbine engineer, you could complete a Level 3 NVQ in Electrical Power Engineering - Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance, or Level 3 Apprenticeship in Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance. These are available with a number of renewable energy companies. Alternatively you could take a degree apprenticeship in Power or Nuclear Engineering.
There are opportunities across England for budding wind turbine apprentices. Ørsted's offshore farms at Grimsby and Barrow-in-Furness offer the 3 year wind turbine technician apprenticeship.
The Modern Apprenticeship in Wind Turbine Operation and Maintenance is the Scottish equivalent to the NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship in England. It is offered through several onshore wind farms based in the Scottish Highlands.
Wind turbine apprenticeships are offered in Wales through RWE's dedicated training facility at Llandrillo College, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales.
What will you learn during a wind turbine
apprenticeship?
Each apprenticeship scheme will vary from company to company, but will generally involve:
- Working with expert wind turbine technicians
- Learning how to maintain and service wind turbines
- Technical aspects of wind turbine operation
- Health and safety protocols
- Learning how to operate specialist mechanical and electrical equipment
Skills required to become a wind turbine engineer
If you have a head for heights, like working outdoors and are never happier than when fixing machinery, you have the basic skills to be a wind turbine engineer. Sea legs would be more than useful too, as offshore engineers spend a lot of their time in boats going to and from their sites.
Wind turbine apprentices should have a keen willingness to learn, be able to work well with others and be passionate about renewable energy. If your favourite subjects are science, maths, technology, engineering and geography, that will also help.
Apprenticeships often require you to work on construction sites, for which you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
Qualifications required to become a wind turbine engineer
Wind turbine apprenticeship programmes usually ask for at least five GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A*-C). There are no specific degree programmes that would facilitate entry into wind turbine engineering, but courses in earth sciences, energy engineering, environmental engineering or renewable energy could be combined with relevant work experience.
Wind turbine apprenticeship programmes in Scotland usually require at least five Scottish National 5 passes at grades A-C.
Wind turbine apprenticeship programmes in Wales usually ask for at least five GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A*-C).
Future prospects and career progression
Such is the future reliance on renewable energy that there is huge demand for trained professionals in this sector. Wind turbine engineers can help the UK deliver its Net Zero goals, so it is a career with considerable potential and opportunities to progress. There is scope for experienced wind turbine engineers to become authorised technicians, operations and maintenance managers or control systems engineers.
How to apply for a wind turbine apprenticeship
If you are interested in applying for a wind turbine technician technician apprenticeship, it is best to contact the individual company that operates the scheme. As well as those mentioned above, companies such as EDF Renewables and Triton Knoll also run apprenticeship programmes for wind turbine technicians. You will have to apply for any apprenticeship role, so will need to produce a CV, write a covering letter and attend an interview.
[1] Source: Building the Net Zero Energy Workforce Report, published by the National Grid, 2020
Find out more about the role of a wind turbine apprentice
You could:
- Read about Wind turbine engineers
- Discover the role of a Wind energy analyst
Where to find wind turbine apprenticeships
Choose one of the below job posting sites to find wind turbine apprenticeships in England, Scotland and Wales.