Environment

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• renewable energy engineering
• electrical or mechanical engineering
• electrical power engineering

It might give you an advantage if your course includes the opportunity to get work experience through summer internships or a year in industry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could do a college course, which could help you to get a trainee job with a wind turbine engineering company.

Courses include:

• electrical and electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering technology
• T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. You could also do a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got qualifications and experience in electrical or mechanical engineering from another industry, or from the armed forces.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You'll also need safety training to work on wind turbines. This could include sea survival if you're working offshore. Your employer will let you know what's required.
• pass background checks
• have a full driving licence

More information

Career tips

Companies are predicted to need more wind turbine technicians in the future as industries move towards using renewable energy sources.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the renewable energy industry from RenewableUK and Energy and Utilities Careers and Jobs.

View all vacancies in this region

You could become an authorised technician, with responsibility for supervising a technical team, and dealing with health and safety.

With further training, you could also work as:an operations and maintenance manager; a control systems engineer; an energy engineer

Click here to find out more about being a Wind Turbine Technician.