Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship - Fleet Service

RWE RENEWABLES MANAGEMENT UK LIMITED

Harwich, CO12 4GD

Closes in 21 days (Friday 21 February)

Posted on 23 January 2025

---

Summary

RWE Renewables are offering the opportunity for motivated people to begin a career in renewable energy with us. This rewarding 3 year apprenticeship scheme will enable the selected candidates to develop into technicians working on wind turbines.

• Wage: £17,000 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary of £17,000 in the 1st year, rising to £24,000 in the 3rd year.

• Training course: Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday. In their final year the apprentices will follow a shift pattern which will be 7 days on / 7 days off.

  37 hours a week

• Possible start date:

  Friday 1 August

• Duration:

  3 years 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

We will provide a comprehensive and well supported learning programme including classroom-based learning and experience on site working with our technicians. Full completion of the apprenticeship will result in an NVQ level 3 qualification in wind turbine operations and maintenance and a level 3 diploma in wind turbine maintenance.

Our Wind Turbine Technicians work as part of a small team focused on specific offshore wind farms. Enrolled candidates will learn to carry out all aspects of wind turbine maintenance including scheduled, unscheduled, proactive, and troubleshooting maintenance on wind turbines.

Your hard work will ensure our wind farms continue to deliver power to households and business. It is a rewarding job that allows you to work on highly advanced machinery in a demanding environment. Once trained you will be working at sea, in all weathers and at height, using heavy, complex mechanical and electrical equipment. You will be required to adhere to the protocol of Health and Safety in all aspects of your work.

Initially the focus will be upon learning and developing engineering knowledge through education and training. However, examples of the tasks covered as technicians in the longer term include:

• Electro/Mechanical problem solving of wind turbines working in small teams at height in remote locations with user manuals as reference.
• Working with advanced mechanical, hydraulic and electrical equipment in a safe manner.
• Planning in advance what tools, spares and materials are required for each job they do.
• Fault finding and diagnosis of wind turbine main component condition to assist in determining if site repair is possible or whether the unit requires exchange.
• Ongoing personal development and training to become a multi skilled technician that will cover all aspects of inspection, maintenance and repair of the wind turbines.

Where you’ll work

Galloper Windfarm

Harwich

CO12 4GD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

IPS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Your training course

Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

• Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
• Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
• Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
• Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
• Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
• Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
• Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
• Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
• Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
• Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
• Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
• Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
• Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
• Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
• Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
• Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
• Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
• Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
• Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
• Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
• Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques.
• Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
• Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
• Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
• Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.
• Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
• Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
• Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
• Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
• Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
• Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
• Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
• Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
• Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
• Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
• Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
• Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
• Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
• Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
• Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
• Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
• Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
• Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
• Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
• Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
• Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques.
• Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
• Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
• Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
• Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.

Your training plan

The first 2 years will be at one of our two apprenticeship providers Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl in North Wales or IPS International, Rochester. 

The 3rd year will consist of on-site training from the Fleet Servicing Service Operations Vessel which supports turbine maintenance at Greater Gabbard and London Array windfarms in the UK along with Amrumbank, Kaskasi and Nordsee Ost windfarms in Germany.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English, Maths and Science (grade 4/C and above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Team working
• Willing to learn
• Interest in Engineering
• Able to work at height
• Able to work at sea
• Willing to travel abroad
• Willing to work shifts

Other requirements

Enrolment onto your apprenticeship programme is subject to prior attainment checks, and your Personal Learning Record will be reviewed upon successful appointment. We are also obligated to follow the guidelines around eligibility, set out by the government apprenticeship funding rules. NB: Please include minimum qualifications (GCSE Maths and English grades) in your apprenticeship application. Tailor your application to the vacancy, dedicating 1-2 paragraphs for each question to demonstrate interest in the role and the company. **If you are unsuccessful, you will be automatically added to our Talentpool list where future vacancies will be sent to you. If you would like to opt out of this mailing list please select unsubscribe in the email.** Accommodation/Travel: Accommodation whilst at college will be provided with the costs of hotel/rent and utilities being paid by RWE. During term time, there will be a reasonable allowance for food and drink while away from home. Also RWE will pay for travel costs for journeys home at the weekends.

About this company

RWE Offshore Wind will play a central role in realising our purpose and vision so far being the No.2 generator globally. The company’s 3,500+ experts operate more than 1.000 fixed bottom and floating wind turbines in 19 wind farms. And we plan to increase our capacity from the current 3.3 GW to 10 GW by 2030 (RWE’s share). In connection with current projects in development as well as upcoming auctions in Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, RWE Offshore Wind is preparing to implement further complex projects. RWE Offshore Wind tests a wide variety of new technologies in our offshore wind farms, enabling these plants to operate more efficiently and economically. In addition, we are involved in and committed to numerous programmes and initiatives that are designed to accelerate innovation in offshore wind and promote the development of new industry standards which allows you to have the freedom to act with conviction and courage as we pivot to new technologies – and continuously improve, together.

https://www.rwe.com/en (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension and private single medical cover. Holidays 25 days (to be taken outside of term time), plus public holidays.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• The prospects of gaining a fulltime position are excellent, RWE has provided a fulltime position to all the apprentices who have successfully completed the course.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

IPS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000297251.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 21 February)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Click 'Apply Now' and add code: 88913