The wind energy sector is growing at a pace never seen before.
Since the UK lifted its nine-year ban on onshore wind in 2024-25 and placed onshore wind on equal footing with other energy infrastructure, a pipeline of stalled projects has been restarted. This has increased workforce demand as new sites move back into planning, construction and operation phases.
In addition to this, by 2030, half of the UK’s wind turbines (WTs) will be over 20 years old. This means these sites now require repowering, lifetime extension studies, more frequent inspections, heavier maintenance and decommissioning activities.
An increased demand for skilled people in the wind energy sector
With the evolution of this sector comes an increased demand for skilled people, including experienced turbine technicians, heavy-lifting teams and specialist engineers. Certain activities, such as repowering, require more advanced competencies than legacy O&M, and newer wind turbines may also be larger and more complex, further contributing to the skills shortage.
Digitalisation (predictive maintenance, drones, SCADA analytics) and sensor-driven inspection strategies are also emerging as standard practice, which supports safer, more evidence-based compliance management. This technological advancement requires new digital engineering skillsets.
Training routes for Wind Turbine Technicians
To meet these expectations, WT technician qualifications have become more structured, formalised and regulated. Technicians need multidisciplinary skills with core entry requirements typically including:
- Level 2–3 Engineering qualifications
- GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)
- GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT)
- Working at Height certification
- Authorised Person / High Voltage (HV) modules, depending on specific role requirements
Training frameworks for technicians have become more detailed and standardised, reflecting the growing complexity of turbine systems and regulatory expectations. The GWO Entry Level Pathways (2022) provides standardised career profiles for pre-assembly, installation and operations & maintenance roles, creating clearer routes into industry for new entrants.
ECITB’s cross-skill technician programme (Connected Competence – Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician) enables mechanical, electrical and I&C technicians to enter wind roles. This Level 3 NVQ / SCQF 6 cross-skill programme is aligned with GWO BTT, GWO BST, WTSR (Wind Turbine Safety Rules), SCADA, HV, and WT condition monitoring.
Together, these frameworks have broadened the number of roles and competencies expected of modern turbine technicians.
Despite expanded training, skills shortages persist because demand is rising faster than training centres can supply qualified technicians.
532,000 additional technicians needed by 2028
Globally, the wind industry is expected to require over 532,000 additional technicians by 2028.
In short, the volume of new turbines, combined with the work required to maintain existing ones and decommission those at the end of life, is outpacing the number of skilled people entering the sector. This demand is further fuelled by increasing regulatory obligations and the advancement of safe systems of work.
If you’re interested in building a career in this rapidly expanding industry, you can explore our current vacancies in the wind energy sector by viewing our open positions here.
