The route, drawn out
DWG A202 · 5 stops · 2.5 years to qualify-
Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
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Year 2 Training continues, pay rises min. £21.2k+
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2.5 years Fully qualified around £38k
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+3–5 years Experienced up to £58k
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Then Lead technician, then site or wind farm… next step
The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.
What the job is
Wind technicians keep turbines turning: planned servicing, fault finding on electrical and hydraulic systems, blade and gearbox inspection, and emergency repairs. Offshore work means transferring from a boat to a ladder in the North Sea and climbing 80 metres before you start.
The UK is the world's largest offshore wind market and is short of technicians at every level. Pay is well above the manufacturing average, offshore rotations often mean two weeks on and two weeks off, and the GWO safety certificates you earn are recognised internationally.
A typical day
- Carry out planned maintenance on turbines to a service schedule
- Fault find on electrical, hydraulic and control systems
- Inspect blades, gearboxes, bearings and bolt torques
- Work safely at height and in confined nacelle spaces
- Complete detailed service records and defect reports
How you get in
- GCSE grade 4 (C) in maths, English and a science is typical
- You must pass a medical and be comfortable working at height and offshore
- GWO basic safety training (working at height, sea survival, first aid) is required
- Strong electrical and mechanical aptitude — tests are common at selection
Where it leads
- Lead technician, then site or wind farm supervisor
- High voltage authorisation and blade repair specialisms
- Commissioning and troubleshooting teams that travel internationally
- Onshore roles in operations, planning or technical support
Where to train for this
12 colleges and training providers on our list cover Wind Turbine Technician training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.