How And Why Become A Wind Turbine Technician Now
Why become a wind turbine technician? If this is a question you have asked yourself or have wondered about, then read on. This article focuses on the career of Jennifer Lilja Malm, who is a Wind Turbine Technician for Vestas in Sweden. Jennifer wanted to avoid a typical nine to five job, and so working outside on different wind turbines was ideal.
An example of how to Become A Wind Turbine Technician
Background
What attracted you to studying to become a Wind Turbine Technician?
I had always wanted a different job other than the typical 9-5 ones. I had never thought about the fact that you could work on wind turbines until I saw an article where I could study to become a wind turbine technician in my hometown. When I saw the article, I felt like: “This is a job for me.”
Have you always liked being outdoors and being active? Can you give examples?
I like being outdoors in my free time when the weather is nice, and the sun is shining. However, although I don’t fancy the rainy cold days, I still feel excited when I am going to the turbine.
Typical week
What’s your typical week like now that you have become a wind turbine technician?
Our weeks differ from time to time depending on whether the turbine has stopped due to faults or not.
We start our days at the warehouse working on where we are going, which turbine we need to go to and what material is needed to get the job done. Then we drive to the turbine and do our troubleshooting or service. Our goal is to get the turbine up and running which can result in some overtime if necessary. But even if there is overtime, the days go so fast you barely realise the time you’ve spent on the turbine.
How much of your time is spent ‘hands on’ and how much on admin or other tasks?
Almost every day we need to go to the turbines. Then we usually finish the day off at the warehouse doing the administerial tasks to finish our job.
What size teams do you work in?
Our teams are always the size of at least two. However, sometimes with bigger tasks we might need to help each other out and then there will be 3-4 people working together.
What do you find most challenging when you are working?
There are a lot of challenges every day since there are new tasks. This is especially true when we are working with troubleshooting: where we have to figure out why the turbine is not working and what we can do to fix it.
How important is physical fitness at work for you?
It is good to have a reasonable level of physical fitness as we sometimes have to climb the ladder up to the nacelle. One thing I have learnt is that when climbing it is important to take your time, so you have energy all the way to the top.
Safety clothing
What sort of safety clothing, footwear, and harnesses do you need to wear?
There is a lot of important equipment for us to use; for example fall equipment, safety shoes, helmets, and glasses.
Are there challenges finding things which fit well and are comfortable?
I personally find no trouble finding safety clothes which fit. Vestas has male, female, and unisex variants of clothing. If you order clothes that are too big or too small you can always send them back and order a different size.
Since you have become a wind turbine technician, how do you personally cope with the heat and the cold?
It is important to have a water bottle with you when working in the nacelle, since it can be quite hot in the warm summer days. Vestas has clothes fitted for all weather conditions whether it is a warm summer day, rainy day, or a frosty cold winter day.
Women in Engineering
You are working in a male dominated industry. How do you find this? How do you think it will change over the next ten years?
I am the only woman technician in our warehouse but that is not a problem for me since all my colleagues are welcoming and treat each other with respect. Although it would be lovely to have more women colleagues around me. I do believe the wind turbine industry will always be a male dominated place since it all depends on what a person likes to work with and there is a mainly male interest in engineering like this. However, I do believe with the right encouragement we will become closer to a 50/50 industry in the future.
What needs to be done to encourage more women to consider this career and to become a wind turbine technician?
I believe that we need to show people that this job actually exists by posting articles like these.
What would you say to a woman who is considering working in the wind power industry and to become a wind turbine technician?
Don’t be shy and go for it!
It is an amazing job with great opportunities to educate yourself more and more in the industry. No day is the same as another and you are always learning something new.
New Wind Turbine Technicians
What sort of personality traits and skills are ideal to become a wind turbine technician?
If you have an electrical or hydraulic background your path to this job will be a little easier, but if you don’t, then don’t let that stop you!
I did not have any electrical knowledge but went for a specific wind turbine technician course where I learned all the basics you need to start working with wind turbines. After joining Vestas, I continued learning and getting more education and experience to be able to work.
What are the key things to do in your first month when you become a wind turbine technician?
Be curious, want to learn, show your interest in the job, and ask questions!
You can never ask questions too many times. It is better to be safe than sorry. Rather than guessing your way, remember it is alright to want to watch instead of to do if you are not yet comfortable with a task. Just tell your colleagues and they will show you how the job is done.
What are the key things to do in your first year as a wind turbine technician?
Do not hesitate to ask for help or if you want to try yourself, learn, ask questions and remember that safety is our main priority. If something does not feel right, tell your colleagues. You will learn along the way when working in the different turbines.
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