Wind Turbine Technician Review

My role currently involves providing planned maintenance (service) and troubleshooting on wind turbines. The majority of the job consists of service as this will be the main job role when my apprenticeship has finished. The rest of my time is spent troubleshooting and rectifying faults on the wind turbines, so there is a good variety of work.

During my time with Siemens, now SiemensGamesa, I have learned many new skills which are useful both in my job and at home. I have learned how to use a wide range of tools, read electrical and hydraulic drawings, and trouble shoot on complex systems. I have also developed other skills such as team work and leadership.

The wide variety of work means that I get a lot of enjoyment out of my apprenticeship. I enjoy working at different places and SiemensGamesa is able to provide that. I can see myself working in this field for the foreseeable future. There are some aspects which can be harder to enjoy, such as working outdoors in harsh weather conditions but the positives more than make up for this.

The programme is very well structured and I believe that it takes you through it at a good pace. The first two years are based at college, which gives you a solid foundation to work from and teaches you most of the theory and practical knowledge that you require. The final two years are sure based which allows you to experience what the job will be like when you are done.

There is a high level of support provided by our employer. They are quick to respond to emails and often come up with helpful resolutions to any problems. There are also many support structures in place within the company, such as financial or mental health support all provided free of charge.

During the first two years in college, the level of support was excellent. There was always a lecturer on hand to answer your emails or personally help you with any problems. During the third year, the level of support has dropped off slightly as we are now at site. This means that we could be waiting a few months to receive coursework back and the replies may not be as prompt as they were before.

I think that the coursework could be more relevant to our job role, as the questions seem very generic and do not relate specifically to our work. The majority of learning that I have done about my job role has been done independently or I have had to ask for more materials.

There are many extra-curricular events to get involved in at SiemensGamesa. Last year I was involved in the Race For Life charity event, where many of the apprentices helped marshal the race. There are also social activities such as work nights out and professional events such as the annual Op Ex.

Yes

SiemensGamesa has been a great company to work for and I have already recommended it to many of my friends. The job itself is enjoyable, and it comes with many benefits. The pay is very competitive and the opportunities to work in different places around the world keep me interested.

The application process for Siemens seems to be more thorough than other companies, so it is good to be prepared and know what you are going into. If applying for the apprenticeship scheme, then it is important to achieve good qualifications in high school as these are a factor when you are applying.