If you are prone to vertigo or are not comfortable working at high altitudes, this is not the job for you. Many times, technicians have to walk around the top of the nacelle to service equipment. Even though you wear a safety lanyard, dizziness at heights puts you in danger. Consider your own strengths and weaknesses before undertaking any formal education as a wind turbine technician. This point is strongly made by training schools, such as Lakeshore Technical College stating that you will be working at 270 feet.
Most technicians have an associate's degree in wind turbine technology. This usually requires about two years of full time college work. If you have no knowledge of electricity or mechanics, colleges usually start out with fundamental electrical classes. As you progress, advanced level classes in electrical control are taken. For example, at Lakeshore Technical College, your first semester is taking introductory classes. Texas State Technical College also has a similar program.
Finding a technical college that offers wind turbine training is not difficult. Many are available to choose from. The tricky part is finding a college that is "in tune" with your learning style. All individuals learn differently. Some people learn more from hands-on, while others learn better from reading textbooks. You have to analyze your learning style, and talk to several colleges. Find the one that matches your style. In talking to schools, ask about job placement assistance after graduation. Another good place to inquire is the human resources departments of large wind turbine owners, such as the utility companies. Ask them what colleges they consider as providing good training for technicians and what colleges they prefer to hire out of. If a technical school is truly valid, it receives high marks from the industry.
All colleges and schools charge tuition. For many, paying this out-of-pocket is unrealistic. For this reason, all colleges have financial aid departments that assist you with the terms of tuition. Assistance takes the forms of loans, grants, and work internship models. Every college or schools has their own unique nuances, and you have to find out what will fit into your life goals the best.