Career Options in the Wind Energy Sector
Career options in the wind energy sector which are not directly related to wind energy include:
- Subcontractors
- Legal experts
- Environmental planners
- Site testers
- Financial experts
- Project managers
- Turbine manufacturers
- Transportation logistics
- Tower producers: This job requires individuals with engineering background to formulate a plan for setting up the tower and ensure smooth production of energy through wind.
- Blade manufactures: This can be a group of people who are focused on manufacturing blades, which is one of the major components in generating wind energy. A degree in physics or engineering is mandatory for such jobs, with specialist experience in this sector.
- Grid Connectors: This job is again meant for engineers who have the ability or expertise to work with grids and form effective alternative energy solutions
- Green electricity sellers: One can obtain a certificate to use renewable energy, and then sell it users.
- Domestic renewable energy experts: This job requires specialist qualification in environmental studies, or physics, to create alternatives
Being an engineer, a technician or even an operator on a wind energy project comes with a fair share of responsibilities. Supervising and fault-free checking is one of the prerequisites and this is done to ensure that there is no room for mishaps or accidents. Coordination, checking the energy generated, helping in maintenance work and abiding by the project guidelines are a part of the job profiles of wind energy engineers and technicians. Lucrative use of the offered equipment, apt performance of tasks and reporting to the wind mill supervisor is mandatory for all employees associated with any kind of wind energy related jobs. To be associated with a career in wind energy you should be ready to handle any sort of task assigned. Specialized tasks are assigned much later, and so you should be willing to go through learning procedures and training.
Education and Skill Sets to Become a Wind Energy Professional
To become a wind energy professional you should have relevant bachelor or associate's degree in the field of wind energy jobs that you have selected. For example, the wind engineers, supervisors, technicians and operators should have a degree in engineering or physics. Those who are indirectly related to a wind energy career can have a degree in their associated profession. For example, the auditors should be from finance backgrounds, the legal experts should have passed the Bar exam or hold a law degree. For technicians a mechanical degree or even a diploma in hydraulics and electrical systems is sufficient. Individuals with degrees in meteorology, mathematics, climatology or even atmospheric science can find lucrative jobs in this industry. Dedication and hard work are mandatory for a successful career in wind energy. Extensive training is provided to technicians. The tasks assigned to you can range from construction to maintenance as a technicians job does not involve very high degrees. Academic excellence and prior experience in this area would provide you a competitive edge over others.
The Future of Wind Energy Related Jobs
Opportunities in wind energy are expected to grow in the coming decade as special emphasis is given to increase the production of renewable energy.
The salary for jobs related to wind energy can vary from a $2,000 dollars for entry level jobs and go up to $50,000 per month for supervisors. The salary will depend on your skills and expertise.
The industry for wind energy is growing and maturing, resulting in a demand for technical expertise in different areas. There is no dearth of opportunities for those with experience in this sector or with an engineering background. There are umpteen career options available in this sector which largely depends on the personal preference of the applicants. There are openings with international power utility kinds and there are individual small scale companies too. This is one of the energy sources which is expected to help in reducing the consumption of non-renewable energy sources like wood and gas.
