Pre-Employment Tests For Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Top Skills and Abilities:
- Deductive Reasoning
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
Top 3 Tasks:
- Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems
- Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment
- Test electrical components of wind systems with devices such as voltage testers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, infrared testers, or fiber optic equipment
Overview
Wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. This involves inspecting the physical integrity of the towers and blades, performing routine maintenance, and replacing old or defective components. They may also troubleshoot the electrical and mechanical components of wind turbine systems, as well as collect data for research and analysis. The employment of wind turbine service technicians has one of the largest projected growth rates for the next 10 years, at 96%. This is much higher than the national average of 7%, partially because there are so few wind turbine service technician jobs presently. Though the number of windtech jobs is expected to nearly double, the predicted increase in actual jobs is 5,600.
Requirements
An aptitude for learning about mechanics and machinery is crucial for success in the position. Windtechs work outdoors, in remote, rural locations, since windfarms are built far away from urban areas. They are required to work from great heights, climbing extremely tall ladders or often rappelling – descending by sliding down a rope – to where they need to work. Generally, wind turbine service technicians learn their trade through technical school and associate degree programs. A bachelor’s degree is not usually a requirement for the position.
Assessments for Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Criteria Corp recommends two assessments when hiring wind turbine service technicians. The Criteria Mechanical Reasoning Assessment (CMRA) measures a candidate’s mechanical reasoning and aptitude, focusing on their ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts, which is essential for operating, maintaining, and repairing machinery and equipment. Additionally, given that windtechs often work in hazardous conditions, including with dangerous machinery and at significant heights, a behavioral risk assessment is also advised. The Workplace Safety Profile (WSP) is utilized to evaluate an applicant's reliability and attitudes toward compliance with rules and adherence to safety protocols.
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor