Wind Turbine Technician Review

Years 1-2 involve a placement at a college in Newcastle. Years 3-4 are site based and will involve learning how to service and repair wind turbines, whilst also working through a portfolio. At the end of the apprenticeship we will continue working at the site we have been placed at.

I have learned many new skills, especially practical ones which I will be able to utilise more when I am out on site. Some of the skills include electrical work, teamwork, hydraulic and fluid power system maintenance and repairs, and computer programming. All of the skills that I have learned will be relevant to my job role in the future.

The programme has enjoyable parts, and slightly less enjoyable parts. The classroom based work can be tedious, but the practical work feels useful and you feel more involved doing this. I would say that, overall, there is a good balance between the practical work and the theory work and that it is paced well.

The programme is structured well. You learn the theory behind the practical before progressing any further, ensuring that you understand exactly what it is that you’re doing. The apprenticeship as a whole is also structured very well. The time in college is definitely very helpful prior to going on site.

We have all the support when need, when we need it. Our managers are very involved and we have monthly meetings with them. The managers will also occasionally come into college so that we can speak to them personally if we need to. We also have all of the kit provided that we need.

The college is very good at providing support when we require it. They provide an adequate level of support and will go to extra lengths to make sure that you understand something if you are struggling. All of the lecturers that we have had have been equally as helpful and always push you to do your best.

The training that we are provided is essential to progressing further in my role, I feel that everything I learn is relevant to what I will be doing in the future. The skills that I have learned will be applicable out on site and I have definitely benefited fro, receiving this qualification.

There are the occasional extra-curricular activities such as Christmas nights out. I feel that there could be more team building exercises outside of college. There is the occasional professional event, such as meetings in the main offices of our employer, but these are few and far between and they could do slightly more to keep us up to do with the inner workings of the company.

Yes

They provide a great level of training and support. So far my experience has been very positive. I enjoy living away from home and have gained a new sense of independence since moving away. The level of interest that Siemens takes in your progress is also above par and makes you feel involved in the company.

Be prepared to go outside your comfort zone, but you will be rewarded for doing so. If you enjoy travelling around a lot and doing a job which is vastly different to others, then you will enjoy this one. The job recruiting process feels very competitive but in the end it is worth it.