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DITCH THE DESK

THE COMPLETE E-BOOK TO


STARTING A CAREER IN WIND ENERGY

A PUBLICATION OF

WIND ENERGY
You know that wind you enjoy on a hot summer day? Well it is the oldest source of energy in the world.
And guess what? Harnessing this energy is a job that keeps you from being trapped at a desk. Oh, and
youll also feel good knowing youre doing something good for the Earth every day.
This e-book is your complete guide to wind power careers. Ever wonder what a typical day is like? Weve
got you covered. Want to know how much youll earn? Thats in here too. What about where those jobs
are? Yep, all that, and more, is in here.

TURNING WIND INTO POWER

CAREER OPTIONS IN WIND POWER

We have come a long way since using windmills to pump water.

As for actual jobs, wind power employs all types of people. If you

Today, wind power comes from turbines set up in areas with

like adventure, you could work on a wind farm, climbing up the

strong winds. There are several different types out there, but the

turbines and maintaining the equipment. Scared of heights? You

most common is a tower with blades that harness the wind and

might enjoy working in production, assembling materials for

send the power to a utility station. This simple design produces

wind energy manufacturers. If research is your thing, there is a

no greenhouse gases and provides us with a lot of clean energy.

growing demand for engineers and scientists in this field focused

Pretty simple, huh? Good thing were building more and more

on designing wind turbines and scouting the right place to build

each day.

them.

SO, YOU WANT TO WORK IN


WIND ENERGY?

TYPICAL WIND ENERGY JOB TITLES

What type of person works in this industry? Well, wind power

Data Analyst

Wind Technician I/II/III


Electrical Specialist

professionals come from a variety of backgrounds: mechanics,

Site Supervisor

former military, construction, office jobs and others. According to

Site Manager

the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. has more than
550 manufacturing facilities, producing more than two thirds
of the materials for wind turbines domestically. Because of this

THE FUTURE

growth, the wind industry employs a record 75,000 Americans.

As long as the wind keeps on blowing, well have a tremendous

Also, unlike that song on the radio this morning, its popularity is

resource for electricity. And, more and more people are realizing

only going to increase over time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics

the importance of investing in this energy, making wind power

reports employment of wind turbine service technicians is

cheaper and pushing those in the industry to make it more

expected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022.

efficient. From the existing land-based wind farms to the future


of offshore wind technology, the future of the industry is strong.

SO, ARE YOU READY TO DITCH THAT DESK YET?


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FIVE THINGS WIND ENERGY TECHNICIANS


KNOW ARE TRUE
Theres no easy way to describe a typical day working in the wind industry, and thats just
the way people who have these roles like it. Talk to a wind technician and heres what theyll
probably say:

1. ITS A BUSY BUSINESS.

safe on the job is THE number one priority. Because the average
wind turbine is over 300 feet high, wind technicians are equipped

Currently 85,000 Americans work in the wind energy industry

with a Personal Fall Arrest System for self-rescue. They are also

thats it. Industry sources report that there is a current shortage

trained in electrical safety, as they work around voltages up to

of trained wind technicians. People are demanding wind

34.5kv. Competent climb and tower rescue, first aid/CPR and

power which means theyre demanding the expertise of wind

mechanical safety, crane signal and rigging practice are all skills

technicians. With a lack of trained professionals in an exploding

that must be mastered by wind technicians before they can go

industry, jobs are readily available, and theres no such thing as a

out into the field.

slow day at work.

5. WIND TECHNICIANS ARE JUST LIKE


BATMAN, BUT WITH A SALARY.

2. ON THE ROAD, AGAINAND AGAIN.


Most wind jobs are in the Midwest, Southwest and Northeast

Wind technicians are always on call to make the world a better

regions of the U.S. Texas, Iowa and California lead all states in

place. Many states have been putting laws in place to reduce

wind power generating capacity, but other states, like Illinois,

carbon dioxide emissions including laws that require 10 percent

Indiana, Oregon and Washington are in the process of majorly

of all electricity produced to be renewable. The call for more

increasing their capacity. Wind technicians can cover an entire

wind energy and trained wind energy technicians has exploded.

region of wind farms so travel is frequent.

Wind farms are a clean source of power and are becoming less
expensive than they used to be. According to the most recent

3. ADVENTURE SEEKERS, APPLY HERE.

data, wind technicians can provide and manage a clean source of

Something is always changing in the wind field and no two days

per year.

energy to the entire country while making an average of $45,970

are the same. Projects are found in a variety of locations. And,

Many wind technicians have decided theyd rather do anything

if its not in a different location, then its probably a different

else but sit inside a cubicle for a large part of their day. Some have

stage of installation. From site planning and base steel work to

chosen the industry to make a green, clean difference in current

electrical installation and final tower testing, wind technicians

energy usage, others want a more fulfilling career path either

have to be ready for anything and to do anything. Every day is a

way, they are the kind of people that like to mix it up, problem-

new adventure!

solve and stay on their toes. Thats why the traditional desk job
is brain-numbing. In the wind energy industry, a technician will

4. SAFETY ABOVE ALL.

find themselves outside in the fresh air and sunshine, always


presented with new challenges and opportunities to lead. That

By far the most critical aspect of the wind technician training

beats any desk job, doesnt it?

program is safety. It is part of the culture of employment! Being

MAKING GREEN IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY


HOW MUCH DO WIND TECHNICIANS GET PAID?
Wind technicians get to be outside all day, create their own schedule, work with their hands
and help make the world a little better. But what do they get paid?
Pay always depends on experience, job location and the
current economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the
middle point of pay for wind turbine technicians is $45,970.
When comparing the full range of pay, the lowest 10 percent
of workers earn $33,170 and the top 10 percent earn $66,960.

TOP 10 PERCENT: $66,960


MIDPOINT: $45,970
LOWEST 10 PERCENT: $33,170

WHATS IT LIKE TO WORK IN RENEWABLE


ENERGY?

What is your favorite part about working in the renewable


energy field?

Q&A with Recent Ecotech Institute Graduate Lawrence Smith

My favorite part of working in the renewable field is knowing


that I am doing my part in helping reduce greenhouse gases.

Our planet doesnt have unlimited resources, but for a long time
people acted like it did. Luckily, the renewable energy field is
finding ways to make use of sustainable resources. Working
in the renewable energy field makes a huge difference for the
environment, because these jobs focus on addressing climate
change and reversing the resource depletion that has already
been done. Lawrence Smith wanted to change his career and
make a difference in the world, so he enrolled in the Wind Energy
Technology program at Ecotech Institute. Now he now works for
NextEra Energy as a Wind Technician II. Keep reading to learn
more about his experiences in the field.

Why did you decide to go back to Ecotech Institute and


pursue a second degree?
I knew I wanted to further my career in the high voltage
field, so I decided to return to the Ecotech and enroll in the
Electrical Engineering Technology program. My employer was
supportive of me continuing my education, and offered tuition
reimbursement.

Why did you want to work on the high voltage side of


the wind farm? How is that different than being a wind
technician?

Why are you passionate about renewable energy? What


sparked your interest in this field?

When I first started with NextEra we had to complete some work


on our transmission lines for Xcel Energy. I was able to assist in
the substation in completing the wiring of them. From then on
I knew I wanted to work in high voltage. As a wind technician
my day-to-day tasks include troubleshooting downed turbines,
preventive maintenance and repairing turbines. As a high voltage
technician, I am going to be more involved in transmission and
supply. Ill work closely with Xcel Energy to ensure the site is
sending power to the grid properly.

After working in the petroleum industry in several aspects for


over twenty-five years, I was ready for a change but wasnt sure
just what. I wanted to get into a field that was green, and as I
drove across the U.S. hauling freight, I would see wind turbines
going up. I thought wind energy would be a unique career for
me to get into, except I did not know where to start. My wife had
seen a commercial for the Ecotech Institute and told me about it.
When I went in to talk to an enrollment counselor they sold me
on their passion, and I committed myself to a complete career
change.

What advice can you give to someone interested in


pursuing a career in the renewable energy field?
As far as the wind energy field, I would say the main thing you
need to learn is how to read schematics and to use a Digital
Multi-meter. These two tools are the main things I use on a daily
basis at work.

Whats your current position with NextEra Energy? What


are some of the things you do?
Right now Im a Wind Tech II and a high voltage technician in
training. Some of my daily tasks include troubleshooting downed
turbines, maintenance, training on the forklift, maintaining
turbine roads and assisting with various tasks as needed.

Q & A WITH PAUL ROAMER

Working in wind is no joke. Just ask Paul Roamer, President of Ethos Distributed Solutions,
a Colorado-based company that provides services to the solar, wind and telecom industries.
Paul shares what it its like to work in wind energy, what hes looking for in new employees
and common mistakes made on the job.

WHATS IT LIKE TO WORK IN WIND ENERGY?

It sounds like theres probably an element of flexibility


or almost eagerness to go into unknown.

Whats a typical day like on the job in wind energy?

Thats it! If youre willing to be flexible, open to new


opportunitiestravel and see the country while youre doing
itlearn lots of different things, and be challenged along the
way its a great fit. If you want to know what youll be doing
tomorrow then youre in the wrong place.

When you get on a site, theyre going to start with a job safety
briefing. Theyre going to analyze the hazards, know where the
local hospital is and know how to get responders here if we need
them. Theyre going to talk about the days activities then get
geared up and get the right tools and supplies and climb the
turbine to start the work. It can be simple or complex corrective
maintenance that takes days to complete.

Whats a common mistake you see from people working


in wind energy?
You have to be safe and we trust that the guys do what we teach
them to do. We audit, but we cant be there every minute. It
all goes together with personal accountability for your actions
during on hours and off hours. Im not looking for guys who
want to party up and drink until all hours of the morning then
work on a turbine hung over. You need to realize you need to be
professional on the road.

What technical skills are you looking for in future


employees?
Written skills and the ability to use a computer is a requirement.
[But] its less about technical skills and more about the complete
package. Ethos is a 100% travel company, so Im looking for
people that we can trust because theyll be in two-man crews.
Theyre going to be away from home and there wont be a big
boss around. Theyve also got to be able to think on their own
and have to have enough drive that they dont leave projects
unfinished.

What advice would you give someone interested in


working in wind energy?
Do your research and know what youre getting into. If youre
not willing to put up with travel or working outside in all kinds
of weather and getting your hands dirty, I dont think that this is
the right field for you.

You mentioned 100% travel, where would your


employees travel?
It could be anywhere in or out of the United States. Right now I
have a crew in the Bahamas, a crew in Alaska, a crew in Kansas
were all over the place.

4 RULES TO BECOME A
NETWORKING MASTER
Networking. It seems simple enough, walk into a room, shake peoples hands, eat some appetizers and
leave, right? For a lot of first-timers its not that easy. Picture walking into a room filled with some of the
most prominent professionals in renewable energy and sustainability. Whats the first move?
Figuring out what to say, what to bring and what to do after the event can suddenly seem as hard as
advanced calculus. But with some rules to follow and a little practice anyone can become a master of
networking.

1. GET OUT THERE

3. LEAVE THE SECURITY BLANKET BEHIND

Fighting the temptation to stay home and play Call of Duty is

Its easy to spot networking newbies at an event. Theyll be the

hard, but the best networkers know being active in as many

people hiding out near the food table or staring at their phone.

groups as possible can be helpful in building networking skills.

Networking pros on the other hand will be working the room and

There are lots of groups to pick from too; theres almost a group

snagging the best connections. It seems safer near the appetizers

or organization out there for just about anything these days.

table but staring at that veggie tray wont lead to a job. Leave
that comfort zone and make an effort to speak to other attendees.

PRO TIP: Networking masters join groups because theyre not


only a good place to start building connections but a chance

PRO TIP: Dont forget the masters started as rookies too,

to pick up facts and trends that can make them seem smart at

but by putting themselves out there they soon realized that

networking events or interviews.

networking isnt as scary as it seemed.

2. BRING YOUR A-GAME

4. PLAY THE LONG GAME

Sometimes people stress so much about networking that they forget

Breaking it down, networking events are the perfect opportunity

their networking tools. A giant networking fail. Avoid this blunder

to rub elbows with some pretty important folks who arent

by showing up with an updated resume and business cards in-

normally that easy to access. But talking to these big shots isnt

hand. It might sound weird to get business cards made without

just about scoring an interview or adding a LinkedIn contact.

first having landed a job, but networking professionals trade those

Attending networking events also has the potential to pay off big

around like baseball cards. Take a cue from them and look into

and lead to a long-term mentorship.

getting some business cards printed, its a great way to leave behind

PRO TIP: Not everyone at a networking event has an immediate

contact info. A quick Google search will bring up companies that

job to fill. But, networking masters know its worth talking to

can print them for less money than it takes to fill up a tank of gas.

them. Building relationships is key in any industry, and could

PRO TIP: Bringing a resume and business card gives networking

lead to bigger and better things in the future. Anyone doubting

masters something to leave with the new contact they just made,

the value of mentorship and relationship building just needs to

which has the potential to keep the conversation going after the

look at what Rihannas famous mentor Jay-Z has done for her

event.

career.
Article adapted from Wind Energy student Networks with U.S. Senator

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN WIND?


If the idea of going to work at a traditional desk job sounds boring then it might be time to
consider another career option. Lots of people work in wind not only because it gets them
outdoors, but also because they find the work challenging and fun. Interested in joining them
out there? This is what it takes to be in the wind energy industry.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

SOFT SKILLS

Mechanical Skills

Problem Solving Skills

A wind turbine is like a helicopter turned on its side. The same

Theres not always one answer for wind technicians, often they

skills needed to fix the transmission of a helicopter or a car can

need to be able to figure out problems by determining the cause

be used to repair a wind turbine.

and then make the necessary repairs.

Computer Skills

Communication Skills

Are you always on the phone helping others troubleshoot

Working in wind isnt just about technical knowhow part of the

computer issues? Those computer skills will come in handy.

job is being able to communicate well with teammates, the boss

Those in wind work with computers and programmable logic

and even the client through writing and speaking.

control systems.

Collaboration Skills

Safety Skills

No one likes to work with someone who isnt a team player.

Knowing how to open and put on a Band-Aid isnt going to cut

Wind professionals work well alone and in teams.

it. Learning and being able to apply safety training, like first aid

Integrity

and CPR, is a must.

Show up on time and ready to work! A strong work ethic is

Basic Math Skills

important in the industry!

Wind professionals often have to do some basic math while


doing a job.

Unafraid of Heights and Confined Spaces


Rock climbers are a natural fit for this field. Some tower ladders
are up to 260 feet or higher and wind technicians need to
confidently climb high and do repairs in tight spaces.

Physical Strength
Being the county arm wrestling champ isnt a requirement, but
having the strength to lift heavy objects is useful. Especially
since wind professionals have to climb with heavy tools and
equipment sometimes weighing up to 45 pounds.

Physical Stamina
Its not just about strength! Working in wind means climbing
high, often with tools and equipment, to reach the turbines.

10 STATES DOMINATING THE WIND INDUSTRY


RIGHT NOW

The wind industry is blowing up right now. But where are the best employment opportunities for wind
energy technicians? Texas takes the top spot for the most job openings in the wind industry, but for job
seekers who arent eager to add cowboy boots to their wardrobe, there are some other states on the list to
consider.

8 9

10
3
1. Texas
2. Colorado
3. California
4. Oklahoma
5. Iowa
6. Kansas
7. Illinois
8. North Dakota
9. Minnesota
10. Oregon

5
6
4
1

6 TRENDS IN WIND ENERGY


THAT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY
From basic windmills used to pump water to 1.5 MW mega machines weighing up to 164 tons,
the way wind is harvested for energy has made huge improvements in the last century. Its
basically the difference between a Ford Model T and a Shelby Mustang. Even better, the wind
energy industry is just hitting its stride and there are more exciting things coming soon. And, as
more people see the potential of renewable energy, theyll keep breaking themselves away from
fossil fuel. This will mean more wind energy jobs and a more sustainable future for everyone.

1. SIZE COUNTS

4. A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS

In the world of wind energy bigger is better. In 30 years, turbines


have gotten four times taller and rotors have gone from 150 feet
to about 400 feet in diameter! That extra wingspan means the
blades are running through a larger area. This, combined with
taller towers that can reach winds that are further from the Earths
surface, has upped the efficiency of wind turbines and driven
down costs. While this growth is reaching its ceiling (eventually
the turbines weight will overshadow the efficiency benefit), right
now it means wind energy is becoming less expensive.

Like Liam Neeson in Taken, being a wind turbine technician


takes a very particular set of skills. More and more of those skills
are learned in colleges and other training programs. But, that
wasnt always the case. A few years ago much of the training
happened on the job. Today, there are training programs that
teach things like the fundamentals of electricity, circuitry, safety
protocols, basic business principles and the ins and outs of power
generation. As wind turbines become more sophisticated and
have more electronic parts, getting more formalized training will
become increasingly important.

2. LOW IS THE NEW HIGH

5. WINDS ROLE IN THE SMART GRID

Wind energy has always had the need for speed. The quest
to place wind turbines in areas of high wind have limited the
possibilities for wind farm sites. But, a new innovation, the vortex
generator (VG), is changing that. The VG is a small, simple fin
thats smaller than a wallet and attaches to wind turbine blades.
VGs actually attract wind and help it attach to the blade to keep
it from scattering in different directions. This means turbines are
more easily able to harvest medium and low speed winds.

The power system in the U.S. is old school, really old school.
The country is still using a system that was built in the 1890s
thats before smart phones, computers and even the first electric
refrigerator! This impacts the cost of electricity. For example,
theres more than a 10-cent difference between what people in
New York pay versus people in Washington. Many experts think
the answer is the smart grid. The smart grid works more like the
internet, where theres information going in and out of a house
which means if a particular house is using more or less electricity
the grid can respond better. In the future wind turbines will be
part of the smart grid making it more stable and standardizing
electric rates across the country.

3. THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF INCENTIVES


Government incentives are both good and bad for wind energy.
On the good side, incentives, like the Production Tax Credit,
encourage private investments in the industry. That kind of
investment makes prices lower and increases available jobs. At
the same time, the bad news is that when those incentives stop,
often so does investment in the wind energy industry. So far the
wind industry has been able to ride out all the ups and downs,
but this relationship may not be able to stay the same forever.

6. AFTER MARKET PARTS


Some of the oldest wind turbines are still under warranty so even
though there are better, more efficient components available they
cant be installed. Thats like trying to restore a 1971 Monte Carlo
using factory parts issued forty years ago! These warranties will
be expiring in the coming years which means technicians will
have the freedom to use different components, often with better
technology making the turbines cheaper and more efficient.

10

TOP 20 RESOURCES IN WIND ENERGY


Cant get enough of wind energy? Click on the links below for resources about the
industry and careers in it.

NEWS / RESEARCH

LINKEDIN GROUPS / FACEBOOK

1. Renewable Energy World

10. International Wind Energy Group

2. Wind Energy Smart Brief Newsletter

11. Jobs for Wind Turbine Technicians

3. Wind Power Engineering Magazine

12. Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

4. Wind Power Monthly

13. Wind Energy Technicians Facebook Group

5. Wind Systems Magazine

14. Wind Turbine Professionals

ASSOCIATIONS / BOARDS

ORGANIZATIONS / GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

6. American Wind Energy Association: AWEA

15. Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

7. Distributed Wind Energy Association

(DSIRE)

8. Global Wind Energy Council

16. Department of Energy

9. World Wind Energy Association

17. National Renewable Energy Laboratory


18. Wind Energy Foundation
19. Windustry
20. Women of Wind Energy

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REFERENCES
Click on the links below for references.
5 Things Wind Energy Technicians Know Are True
i. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Careers in Wind Energy, http://www.bls.gov/green/wind_energy/
ii. American Wind Energy Association, Fact Sheets
http://www.awea.org/Resources/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=873&navItemNumber=588

Do You Have What It Takes to Be in Wind?


i. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Wind Turbine Technicians,
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm
ii. Womens Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, Why Green is your Color: A Womans Guide to a Sustainable Career
http://www.dol.gov/wb/Green_Jobs_Guide/Why_Green_is_your_Color_html_version.htm
iii. iSeek Solutions, MN Energy Careers, Wind Turbine Technicians
https://www.iseek.org/industry/energy/careers/greenDetail?id=7&onet=49-9099.02

10 States Dominating the Wind Industry Right Now


i. Ecotech Institute 2014 Clean Job Index. The state rankings are based off of the number of wind industry job listings posted between
September 2013 and August 2014.

6 Trends in Wind Energy that Will Blow You Away


i. National Geographic, Sizing Up Wind Energy: Bigger Means Greener, Study Says
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/07/120720-bigger-wind-turbines-greener-study-says/
ii. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Wind Turbines Get Bigger and Smarter
https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/renewable-energy/wind-turbines-get-bigger-smarter
iii. RenewableEnergyWorld.com, Wind Energy Innovation: Vortex Generators
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/07/wind-energy-innovation-vortex-generators
iv. Energy.gov, History of Wind Energy, http://energy.gov/eere/wind/history-wind-energy
v. SmartGrid.gov, What is the Smart Grid?, https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid

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