Wind turbine technician

Author
Discussion

Simon_m

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Tuesday 15th February 2011
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Hi all, someone mentioned to me that Siemens are taking on wind turbine technician's. Having looked at the job spec I was wondering if anyone in this industry would have an idea of wage?

Also, whilst I have never worked on wind turbines I am a telecoms team leader working on radio masts, therefore have masses of climbing experience, full training on working at height regs, valid climbing tickets, rescue from height, first aid at height etc.

I guess this would go in my favour, but would the lack of experience in this area by a big hurdle?

Thanks in advance.

jdbecks

2,788 posts

197 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
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I use to work on offshore cranes, Oil Rigs and Ships, and about 2 years ago a recruiter sent me the job details for an offshore wind turbine technician and the salary was only 24k, which is peanuts compared to what I was earning. If I remember right, they wanted electrical qualifcations.

Not sure what the job would be like,

Edited by jdbecks on Thursday 17th February 13:45

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
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Between £25k & 45k depending on experience. Drop me a PM if you want some more advice, we're fairly big in the offshore wind sector now smile

GSP

1,965 posts

203 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
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The starting salary is between £20k and £24k... everybody starts at level 1. You do your first 6 weeks training in Newcastle (Levels 1 to 4)... then you go anywhere your needed.

The opportunity within siemens wind power is massive, some technicians (not that I agree with it, infact it's a pet hate of mine) have been accelerated to level 7 within 6 months... where pay isn't £20k.

There is a real demand for 'good' UK technicians at the moment.

What are you looking at installation or commisioning, onshore or offshore?

Simon_m

Original Poster:

223 posts

180 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies smile

GSP:

There are two vacancies advertised at the minute, one is a blade tech, the other an installation tech.

The job description is pretty vague for both, it seems the main criteria is the ability to work at height and be aware of H&S regs, not a problem as I work in the Telecoms industry for mobile operators.

Regarding, on-shore or off-shore, don't mind either. I have sent my CV off, but need to compose a cover letter to try to explain what strengths I could bring to the role as my CV is very much Telecoms/IT orientated and may get overlooked on that basis. I am looking for a career change, this role seems perfect, the way I look at it, it is easier to train a person to install a piece of equipment a certain way at ground level, getting that same person to do the job 200ft up whilst standing on an 2" wide bit of steel is a lot harder, you are either suited to climbing or not.

£20-24K seems acceptable as it is essentially a trainee position, I guess the rewards come further down the line.

Escargot - will drop you a PM.

Thanks chaps

GSP

1,965 posts

203 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
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Drop me a PM and I will see if I can get your CV/covering letter to the right person internally.


Arnold The Bat

2,339 posts

200 months

Thursday 17th February 2011
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I've seen these advertised as well and I am in the same boat as the OP with 10 years of climbing up stuff on behalf of various telecom operators. I'm also considering applying however I see it the other way around to the OP in that it's probably easier to train an electrician to climb up stuff then it is to train a climber to be an electrician.

I've applied for a few roles like this (hat tip to Escargot) but have always felt that my chances were remote because whilst I'm fully capable of climbing up a turbine I won't have a clue what to do when I get to the top.

Does the training that these Siemens roles provide cover that sort of thing or will an electrical/hydraulic background still be a prerequisite?

jdbecks

2,788 posts

197 months

Friday 18th February 2011
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do they rotate when on shore/offshore?

GSP

1,965 posts

203 months

Friday 18th February 2011
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jdbecks said:
do they rotate when on shore/offshore?
I presume your talking about shifts rather than the turbine themselves biggrin...

It depends very much on the specific project, distance from shore, type of technician you are, Type of vessel your working on etc. There many variables, but generally yes.

smut1000

1 posts

156 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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Have looked at the Siemens job description and it looks perfect for me, but not sure my CV holds up, Qualifications wise, they're a bit slim on the ground, if you'll excuse the pun, but have masses of experience working at height. My background is industrial roofing so the health and safety and repair materials to be used are all relevant. Clutching at straws, I know, but if any of you guys can help, I'd really appreciate it. (I have applied)..

wizzbilly

955 posts

192 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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will be watching this thread see if anything comes of it as sounds a interesting opportunity .

i am also looking for change of direction and see these could possibly be the future , having plenty of electrical experience in the commercial sector along with working at hights permits and i paf.

vaderobe

1 posts

155 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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escargot said:
Between £25k & 45k depending on experience. Drop me a PM if you want some more advice, we're fairly big in the offshore wind sector now smile
Hi there, I came across a message related to a question on wind turbine techs a user had asked. I noticed you said you were fairly big in the offshore sector. I am a turbine tech looking for work with experience offshore with siemens and vestas turbines. If you have any info or links please let me know.
Keith

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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Keith, I've sent you a mail. We've just filled a couple of urgent requirements but we're pretty confident of more coming through imminently.

bucksmanuk

2,311 posts

169 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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if its south Yourkshire - the pay will probably be crap
it certainly was for me when i was designing hydro electric turbines.....

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 13th April 2011
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bucksmanuk said:
if its south Yourkshire - the pay will probably be crap
it certainly was for me when i was designing hydro electric turbines.....
Design and installation are two very very different jobs though and the pay often reflects this. I know of NDE guys aged early 20s at the bottom of engineering ladder getting paid the same as chief engineers because they're on shift and overtime allowances.

jezza81

1 posts

154 months

Monday 9th May 2011
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Hi all, does anybody have experience working as an wind turbine installation tech for Siemens and know what kind of shift pattern they work ? both on/offshore. thanks..

ben_h100

1,546 posts

178 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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Escargot I sent my cv to your company, is it worth me resending as I haven't heard anything back.

Ben

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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Hi Ben,

Yep, send it straight to me. I'll drop you a line with my email address.

A Curtis

115 posts

167 months

Wednesday 11th May 2011
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Any advice on getting a foot in the door from all you offshore lads?

What qualifications are prefferable etc would be a big help, cheers!

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 11th May 2011
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Escargot

Is it ok if I chuck you a PM with some general questions about this? Not looking for a job (yet) but do have an interest