Turbine Technician
– Tanya O’Reilly
Turbine Technician with Wind Turbine Engineering Ltd, based in Kildare
Tanya, from Cootehill in Cavan, spends her working day more than a hundred metres in the air on top of wind turbines across Ireland and Europe.
A new recruit to the industry, the 27-year-old has been working as a service and maintenance technician since 2021. She had previously worked in Australia, in the gold mines, and had tried a number of college courses before she found out about jobs in this area.
“I liked the idea of not being behind a desk, being out in the air and being hands on. I worked down the mines, so I liked the idea of physical work.”
Tanya completed the Wind Turbine Technician Course run by Green Tech Skillnet. The programme was developed by Wind Energy Ireland and funded by Skillnet Ireland.
It offers opportunities to job-seeking graduates who are looking to upskill and start a career in the renewable energy sector – due to the huge demand for workers. It is a training and work placement programme, and many trainees are taken on by companies in the industry after they have completed their course.
Tanya did her training with Wind Turbine Engineering Ltd, based in Co Kildare, and afterwards was taken on by them as a full-time turbine technician.
“I can’t believe how well it’s all gone for me,” she said. “It’s a new start and a new career – I just love it. I’ve worked on wind farms all over Ireland, including one only five minutes from my home in Cavan. But I’ve also got to see a bit of the world and travel for work to Sweden, England, Scotland and Wales.
“Without the support of programmes like Skillnet and companies like WTE getting behind me and supporting other future technicians we would really be struggling with a massive skills shortage in the future because this industry is growing at a rapid pace.”
Tanya has this advice for anyone considering a career in wind, “Go for it. Even if you don’t have a background or knowledge in the renewables area, don’t restrict yourself. If you are willing to work and be open minded to learning new skills, then jump at the chance.”
She would also like to see other women consider the role of turbine technician in the future.
“I’ve worked with only one other female turbine technician,” she acknowledged, “and I would definitely like to see more women involved. The more women that young girls see in these roles the more they will consider this route for themselves and remove the perception of gender specific jobs.
Sometimes it isn’t about how much you know already or what education you’ve had, if someone is willing to take a chance on you don’t waste it. This has been that sort of an opportunity for me, and I am making the most of it.”
Turbine Technician
Maintains, repairs and replaces systems and components. They identify and resolve technical problems and make sure the turbine is working properly.
–
Want to learn more about other jobs in engineering and technology?
