Wind turbine technician

[escargot]

Additionally, Siemens & Weir have recently announced a JV for Apprentice turbine techs. Could be worth looking at.

[rodgerramjet]

GSP said:

The site is between Perth and aberfeldy, it's a huge site, I know a few of the projects guys working on the installation.

What role does the guy you know do in offshore? That's probably your best route in if they are senior. I've recommended one or two off here, only one chap has been successful though after the sifting process.

You will need to make a point of your willingness to learn, hopefully that your a quick learner too. Very safety conscious. Make a point of how your really interested and keen to work in the renewables industry. It helps if you genuinely are, you can see right through people who are not.

Hi GSP, thanks for the info. I think I'm pretty happy with my CV now, I was perhaps being paranoid as the adverts don't give you much to work with, so I'll send it in and fingers crossed I hear back from them. I'll also apply to the other main players in a speculative manner, in the hope that something may come up at some point.

My friend is an offshore Tech, he's only been there about two years and started as a newb so he's not holding any senior position. think he is currently working off the East coast of England.

Thanks again for your replies and info

cheers

Roj

[Mistrtal]

Hi all, some very interseting reads here regarding renewable energy and wind turbine techs. I believe its a huge industry and is going to grow even more so im looking at getting into it. I have had an electrical company for the last 3 years which i have now sold, recently i completed my confined spaces, offshore survival, and wind turbine working at height courses. Im prepared to start at the bottom and work my way up - not afraid of hard work so if anyone can help that would be fantastic

[ujio]

escargot said:

It's not entirely out of the question Ujio, but it will be incredibly difficult. You have to remember you'll be competing against people who equally may not have any turbine experience, but who may have a technical/engineering background with transferable skills. If I were you, I'd look at some kind of vocational course in Mechanical/Electrical engineering and see where it takes you thereafter.

Thanks for that insight.
Right now I am earning a decent wedge in the City working for various banks and commodity houses within trading but frankly quite bored of the whole office environment and pushing around spreadsheets.

The grass always seems to be greener but I fancy doing something far more practical with tangible benefits. The offshore aspect also appeals to me as I really want to have more time 'off' to pursue my other interests.

Will be hard as you mentioned to make the crossover especially now I've just turned 30!

Great information in this thread.. thanks all!

[escargot]

Mistrtal said:

Hi all, some very interseting reads here regarding renewable energy and wind turbine techs. I believe its a huge industry and is going to grow even more so im looking at getting into it. I have had an electrical company for the last 3 years which i have now sold, recently i completed my confined spaces, offshore survival, and wind turbine working at height courses. Im prepared to start at the bottom and work my way up - not afraid of hard work so if anyone can help that would be fantastic

I'd apply directly to the manufacturers if I were you. It's unlikely in the present climate that the O&M Sub Contractors will want to invest to train you up to the standards their clients require.

[escargot]

Having said that, I do have a client at the mo who needs 6 offshore techs for an initial 9 week project out in Denmark. It's working on Siemens turbines so normal Siemens requirements apply. HOWEVER, providing you have offshore turbine experience (ideally blade repair / retrofits etc) with either Vestas, Nordex or REPower, they'd consider paying to put you through the Siemens courses.

Offshore wind experience is an absolute must though.

[bazzac]

escargot said:

Having said that, I do have a client at the mo who needs 6 offshore techs for an initial 9 week project out in Denmark. It's working on Siemens turbines so normal Siemens requirements apply. HOWEVER, providing you have offshore turbine experience (ideally blade repair / retrofits etc) with either Vestas, Nordex or REPower, they'd consider paying to put you through the Siemens courses.

Offshore wind experience is an absolute must though.

hey escargot iv'e been working on enercon machines this past 3 and half years. and also have experience on nordex turbines. have been applying to everyone i can since february to get working offshore but with no luck.. have my Rigging and Slinging opito approved, PAN European Basic Offshore Safety,Completion of medical,Working at height (Heightec).. where am i going wrong can someone tell me

[escargot]

Bazzac, drop me a line through my profile. I might be able to help

[escargot]

Small world. I've already had an application from you about 45 mins ago. I'll email you directly.

[STL]

Hi, our company works within the Wind industry and we offer courses (blade inspection and repair / introduction to Wind turbines / RenewableUK approved Work at Heights and Rescue / Fire Fighting / First Aid etc.) which arm you with the experience companies like Siemens request. You can see a list of our courses on our website at www.safetytechnology.co.uk

If you have any questions about breaking into the industry contact us and we will try and help.

Hope this was helpful.

[ScottTheBoss]

I am Ex Royal Navy Weapon Engineer and I have a interview with Siemens next week it is a trainee wind turbine comptenecy interview what should I expect at the interview and how can I prepare ? I was only in the Navy 3 years and only level 2 NVQ qualified is this a disadavantage ? I sent my CV with little hope of getting the interview but did which i was amazed at.

Any other info would be helpful

[Capita]

Cant believe I have been forced out of the shadows from lurking to signing up/posting!

Escargot - Is it ok just to call in to your office at any time and get advise from a consultant or would I need to make some kind of prior appointment? I only live a couple of miles away and always passing through.

Wind turbine tech is something that has appealed to me for a long time, I have spent 15+ years installing/commissioning/fault finding/maintaining 3ph industrial machinery involving lifting and slinging operations working with mobile and lorry mounted cranes , working at heights & use of harness - albeit not 100m! (which wouldn't phase me in the slightest). I have had 16th edition and now 17th edition requirements of electrical installation qualifications , city & guilds 2391-01 test, inspection and certification of electrical installations, PAT testing & autocad quals - and since every man and his dog are now asking for NVQ3's I am currently banging an electrotechnical services (installation) nvq out in my spare time - which should be completed my end of july/mid aug.

IMO I would be a perfect wind turbine tech, be it install, commissioning or maintenance, I'm used to working outdoors in all weathers (every day)and working away from home, the only thing I havent done that all the siemens job descriptions mention is shift work, but at my time of life (35) I cant think of anything better than working shifts compared to the usual 5 on 2 off working week.

I have also applied with siemens as wind turbine installation tech - does anyone know what the different 'status' are available for the siemens online application process? And roughly how long do they take to get back to applicants?

ScottTheBoss - keep this thread updated with how your interview goes and what was required in the competence test?

Thanks anyone for info in advance!

[GSP]

edit

Edited by GSP on Friday 15th July 17:13

[Capita]

Nice pics !

Heights aren't a problem - best view from the office ever I would guess, and one that never gets old?

How long roughly does it take for the different phases of install (Column erection/nacelle placement/rotor lifts and then how long from then until the turbine is ready for start up checks/commissioning?) providing weather/wind doesnt hold up the lifts of course.

Any tips for specific wording to include in covering letters?

[ScottTheBoss]

Capita I sent my application to siemens about 4 or 5 days before they got back to me with an interview date, the process is a 1 comptency interview which iv asked siemens about here is what there reply was;

Its a one stage interview. We have 8 roles to fill and are interviewing 16 people or so in total.
The questions are a mix of - understanding your background/CV review, HSE, technical (electrical, mechanical and hydraulic) and a couple of competency based at the end. Will last around 45mins.

I can obviously see what the interviews going to be around does anyone have ideas on what comptenecy based questions will be asked ?

I have basic mechanical electrical and hydraulic knowledge im nervous for this interview

[Capita]

Cheers Scott - Was your application online?

I only ask as the status on my app says 'closed' and did so a day and a half after submitting the app. I'd be interested to know if and why I didn't get shortlisted for interview so I can work on the areas for the future, maybe it was my CV/cover letter as In my completely biased opinion I more than exceed any criteria set out in the job descriptions, and have years of electrical and mechanical industrial installation, pre start up checks and commissioning experience, working at height experience etc etc so it would be nice just to get into a position of an interview as i'm positive I am 100% the right candidate for the job.

Let me know how the interview goes and what the test(s) were.

[ScottTheBoss]

Well I cant remember exactly how long but im sure it was 2-4 days from me applying for the position.

I dont see why they would knock you back with the experience you have thats almost as long as my age. The description for what I applied for you need basic electrical and mechanical knowledge .... I was very suprised that I got an interview It was a speculative application (wasnt expecting to hear anything)

Ye i will keep you up to date hope I get this job and get my foot on the ladder

[Capita]

Any update Scott on how the interview went and what the competency tests were?

[dan8321]

i know they are asking for mechanical background but mines not relevant to the sector, but would that effect my chances of being noticed?

What id also like to know is when they say trainee, do they train the individual candidats from base upwards i.e no experience in the sector at all can apply?

what is level 1?

dan

[escargot]

Capita, sorry, I missed your message.

I'll drop you a PM