electricnewf

I came across this job posting today on workopolis:

http://www.workopolis.com/EN/job/11357126

The wind energy industry is really taking off here in Canada. Has anyone ever looked into a career like this?

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"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

MDShunk

Seems like we've had a few wind power techs post here from time to time. I remember a picture a guy posted of himself on top of a big wind tower.

I know one thing... you won't need a gym membership.

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One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

electricnewf

Haha, that's what I was afraid of

Do you know of any members in particular who are wind techs? I'd like to contact one in regard to the job in general.

__________________
"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

MDShunk

No, I don't remember any user names. Maybe someone else will.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

william1978

Does anyone know what the pay scale is for this type of job?

MDShunk

The pay rates in emerging technologies typically is higher than you'd expect.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

electricnewf

$35-$45K/year for 1-2 years electrical experience but don't quote me on that. Vestas doesn't have salary info on their site.

__________________
"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

william1978

That is what I was thinking. I was just curious how much higher those guys make than the rest of us?

william1978

If that is so man that makes N.C. pay scale look good.

electricnewf

I was given a bunch of salary ranges from different sites. Whether that's carved in stone or not is anyone's guess. I don't know if you'd get me on top of a 300ft wind tower for $35K/year though.

__________________
"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

william1978

I would not get up there for that at all. it would have to be at least 6 digits before I would work on them.

electricnewf

I'd like to try it, though I don't know if I'd be able to work from that height. Inside, it seems pretty safe. Outside, not so much.

__________________
"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

kawimudslinger

My next door neighbour works for Vestas. Vestas is HUGE here and i know about 20 people who work for them. Everywhere you look in Western PEI you see the massive wind mills. The last I heard there was a hiring freeze and lots of guys getting layed off in other parts of the company (not so much in PEI).

They do get payed real well. They travell all over the States and Canada for training and really enjoy their job. Most windmills have elevators so there is not as much climbing as you would think, but there is some.

The only draw back i heard about Vestas is the ecxessive amount of PPE they have to wear. You should see the HUGE insulated gloves they have to wear for work over a certain voltage, you could barely move your fingers. It gets pretty hot with all the gear sometimes...but safety first right.

Mountain Electrician

Trans Canada is putting a 42 tower farm near here. Vestas supplies and will maintain the towers for 5 years, then Trans Canada takes over. I know 2 guys who have gone to work for them. Both are enjoying it so far, and the towers have lifts in them, so you typically don't have to climb up. That's good, because it's 280' the the hub.

I've done some work for Vestas, they are a huge company. I don't know how well they pay, but I suspect, at least around here, it's considerably better than 35K$

electricnewf

Does the pay increase over time?

__________________
"If it ain't broke, you're not tryin'" - Red Green

Mountain Electrician

I would assume so, but as don't work for them myself, I don't know. Most of the guys I know that work as techs for Vestas have college degrees in power engineering. Whether that is a requirement or just a sign of a bad economy, I can't say.