Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Michigan

While most of a wind turbine technician’s duties in Michigan involve inspecting, maintaining, and repairing wind turbine components, the field also involves a great deal of computer literacy, data collection, analysis, and other related activities.

Interested candidates must receive robust training to carry out all these duties at the very highest level. Along with highlighting potential destinations to receive such training, the article below also explores the steps in starting a wind turbine technician career in Michigan.

Candidates will also find the average annual salary figures for wind turbine technicians in Michigan, depending on which stage they are in their careers.

How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician in Michigan

Future wind turbine technicians in Michigan are expected to follow the steps below to begin their careers on the best possible path.

Step 1: High School Diploma or GED

An aspiring wind turbine technician in Michigan usually needs a high school diploma or GED to secure admission into the best training programs in the area. This is because certain foundational topics in high school are crucial to understanding the more advanced concepts in wind turbine technology.

Additionally, candidates who don’t have a high school diploma are allowed to make use of a GED equivalent. Either of these credentials will also be very important when it’s time to secure employment.

Step 2: Completing a Training School

Most employers would like to hire wind turbine technicians who have completed some form of training program at the post-secondary level. Currently, community colleges and technical schools in the area offer the most respected programs.

These programs last 2 years and cover various general topics in wind turbine technology and renewable energy.

Step 3: On-the-Job Training

While post-secondary training programs offer extensive classroom instructions and training regarding theoretical principles, graduates of these programs typically will need a year to become familiar with the actual real-world demands of the occupation.

For this reason, employers tend to set aside some time for additional training on the job.

Additional on-the-job training avenues can be arranged as apprenticeship programs offered by schools and private organizations.

Step 4: Certification

Even though this step isn’t mandatory, it will look good on a resume should a wind turbine technician in Michigan have additional professional credentials to verify their skills. We will be discussing more on possible certification options in the next section.

Step 5: Employment

Lastly, after completing the above process, candidates may create their resume and send it to appropriate companies. Some options to consider include companies in the communications industry, power generation industry, and manufacturing industry.

Explore other trades with similar paths:

• Become a solar technician in Michigan

Licensure & Certification Requirements

As a fresh wind turbine technician in Michigan, you will be glad to know that you are not expected to earn a license or register with any state board/agency. You are not mandated to obtain certification either.

Those who obtain certification simply do so because it is their preference. In case you also fall into these shoes, Michigan’s most prominent certification bodies to consider as a wind turbine technician are the Electronics Technicians Association and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Additionally, some employers or projects may require or prefer training certifications such as the GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT), Basic Safety Training (BST), and OSHA 30 safety course. These certifications focus on safety protocols and technical skills essential for working safely and effectively in the wind energy industry.

These professional organizations offer well-respected credentials that are valid anywhere in the state and throughout the country.

Top Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Michigan

Candidates looking for high-quality wind turbine technology education in Michigan may consider any of the options below.

Notable Mentions

Other notable destinations for top-quality wind turbine technician training in Michigan are:

• St. Clair Community College in Port Huron,
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo,
• Monroe County Community College in Monroe,
• Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, and
• MIAT/Universal Technical Institute in Canton.

Explore wind turbine technician schools by city:

• Wind turbine technician schools in Detroit

Salary & Career Outlook

According to Indeed, while wind turbine technicians in Michigan earn an annual average salary of $58,510, this figure is more pertinent to those at the midpoint of optimizable factors, such as experience and location, among others. Because it is possible to optimize these factors to scale yearly earnings, Michigan’s top 10% of wind turbine technicians can earn up to $70,248 per year.

On the other end, those who are among the bottom 10% typically earn an annual average salary of around $48,053.

For those who would like to optimize their location within the state, Detroit and Ann Arbor are two cities where wind turbine technicians earn the most in Michigan. Professionals in this field take home annual average salaries of $70,229 and $67,299, respectively.

Employers also pay an allowance on a per diem basis to wind turbine technicians in Michigan when they travel to rural wind farms or out-of-town project sites.