Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship | Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy Sector Apprenticeship

Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship is an innovative 3-year apprenticeship programme, developed in collaboration with industry experts and Kerry Education and Training Board as the leading educational provider. This cutting-edge apprenticeship is tailored to meet the burgeoning demands of the Irish Renewable and Sustainable Energy sector.

Over three years, a learner will gain invaluable knowledge, skills, and competence to excel in the field of green energy. Our apprenticeship offers a unique blend of theoretical learning and hands-on experience.

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To view full details of this occupation, view information from our Careers database for the following occupation: Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician

There are many contributing skills routes into skills, qualification, and experience to progress to a Wind Turbine Technician career: Electrical/mechanical/engineering backgrounds

FET Centre Traineeship Electrical/mechanical/engineering operations & windturbine maintenance NFQ level 5 search FET courses

FET Centre PLC Post leaving cert courses Electrical/ Mechanical & Engineering courses NFQ level 5 search FET PLC courses

Wind Turbine Maintenance Apprenticeship NFQ level 6

The minimum age requirement for this programme is 18 years of age.

Minimum entry requirements:

• Employed by an ‘approved employer’

• Level 4 Major Award or equivalent, or 3 years in the trade

• Pass Grade in Maths at Level 3 (or equivalent)

• Pass Industry standard Medical Assessment and have excellent color vision

• Pass Work at Heights test up to 100m

• Non EU applicants will be subject to work permit regulations

• Apprentices must provide evidence demonstrating English language competence at B2 in reading and writing.

Or, if the applicant does not have a Level 4 Major Award:

• Have a minimum of 36 months’ relevant experience in employment in Wind Turbine Maintenance or similar.

• Attend a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) interview with Subject Matter Expert and Kerry ETB. RPL applications will be reviewed for potential apprentices who are seeking to use RPL for access onto the programme.

Please note: To become an apprentice you will need to pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). For further information, contact your local Education and Training Board.

Kerry ETB’s RPL process will be conducted addressing formal and informal learning through one-to-one consultations with supporting documentary evidence and assessment of application.

Apprentices will be trained in a progressive manner and will get to put their skills into practice during both on and off the job training stages.

While on the apprenticeship, apprentices will undergo seven stages of comprehensive training, with four stages conducted 'off-the-job' at Kerry College Monavalley Campus. Three stages of the training will be conducted 'on-the-job' with your employer, allowing you to apply your newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios. Plus, you will be paid by your employer throughout the programme, embracing the 'earn-while-you-learn' model from day one.

For full details check the Wind Turbine maintenance Tech apprentice brochure

It will provide training in occupational areas associated with the role of Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician, including health and safety, and maintenance and fault finding of electrical, mechanical, control and hydraulic systems.

On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician:

Electrical/mechanical/engineering background
Physical stamina. Service technicians must be able to climb high, often with tools and equipment, to reach the turbines.
Physical strength. Technicians must lift and climb with heavy equipment and parts and tools.
Troubleshooting skills. Wind Turbine Technicians must diagnose and repair problems. When a turbine stops generating electricity, technicians must determine the cause and then make the necessary repairs.
Unafraid of heights and confined spaces. Service technicians often must repair turbines that are at least 260 feet (80m) high. In addition, technicians must work in confined spaces in order to access mechanical components of the turbine.
Willing to travel. Depending on your host company you must be willing to travel on regular basis, including nights away from home.
The administrative side of the job is also important, you must ensure activities are documented. Therefore, good written communication skills and computer literacy are required.
Good level of physical fitness and enjoy physical activity and work.
Safety focused.
Interest in energy sustainability and efficiency.
Solid literacy, verbal and numeracy skills.
Ability to plan and prepare work
Good analytical and problem solving skills
Good computer skills
Good hand/eye co-ordination, manual dexterity and spatial aptitude.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Service technicians must be able to climb high, often with tools and equipment, to reach the turbines.

Electrical/mechanical/engineering problem solving

Fault finding & fault fixing, ongoing maintenance & upgrade

Using tools & diagnostic equipment

working in partnership with repair & maintenance crews

Maintaining high standards of health & safety

Documenting the process of ongoing maintenance in line with required standards

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

Install wind turbine towers on land or at sea
Fit electrical, mechanical and hydraulic equipment
Test turbine blades and control systems
Carry out planned maintenance work
Find faults and fix them
Record job details and fill in safety reports
Run safety checks on electrical substations and cables

Qualified Wind Turbine Maintenance Technicians are in high demand.

Work is readily available in a range of Irish and European companies who operate in the domestic and European wind energy market.

Technicians & professionals graduating the Apprenticeship NFQ level 6 program, can progress in many different pathways. This Green career has many options:

Higher education options CAO: Mechanical, electrical, renewable energy systems NFQ level 7 - 8 search CAO courses

Springboard Engineering & Green economy NFQ level 9 or higher Wind energy & operations search Springboardcourses

Post graduate courses Engineering & Green economy search Postgrad courses

Green Tech Skillnet: Networking & professional development

Local Enterprise

Business Incubation

This apprenticeship programme QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Industrial Wind Turbine Engineering (WTMT).

The next intake of the WTMT Apprenticeship is scheduled for the 20^th May 2024.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

Contact:

Kasia Lyko
National Apprenticeship Programme Coordinator
Kerry Education and Training Board
Kerry College Monavalley Campus
Tralee Co. Kerry

Tel: + 353 (0) 66 714 9600
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://kerrycollege.ie/apprenticeships/wind-turbine-maintenance/

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.