Wind Career Ladder, Curriculum and Job Descriptions

Transcription

1 Wind Career Ladder, Curriculum and Job Descriptions The information provided in this Wind Power Career Ladder, Curriculum and Job Descriptions Packet is based on the experience of the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission (PBRPC), working with Howard College and the Texas Wind Institute. PBRPC is a voluntary association of local governments in west Texas, which work to cooperate and coordinate efforts for comprehensive regional planning and solving area-wide problems. The region is a part of the vast west Texas landscape which has been targeted for wind farms by the world s major wind development companies. The Permian Basin Region and its neighbors have seen wind power generation grow into one of the largest industries in the state of Texas in the last decade. This packet seeks to provide persons interested in joining the wind power field with a basic understanding of the types of trainings certifications and job opportunities available. For the purposes of this Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs training and placement project, the focus is on wind power installation, operations and sales, but not manufacturing. It includes both large-scale and small-scale wind power generation. Career Ladder Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Installation and Operations Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Sales Small Scale Wind Power Generation Curriculums Wind Training Program Job Descriptions Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Installation and Operations Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Sales Small Scale Wind Power Generation

2 Large Scale Wind Power Generation, Installation and Operations, Career Ladder Relevant Experience Junior Renewable Energy Technician Wind Tech Training Wind Turbine Service Technician Wind Turbine Installer Wind Project Developer Wind Turbine Technician Team Lead Soft Skills Wind Project Site Manager Wind Field Operations Maintenance Wind Farm Operations Manager / Wind Farm Project Manager

3 Large Scale Wind Power Generation, Sales / Consulting, Career Ladder Experience (Sales, Wind Industry, etc.) Renewables Account Representative Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor

4 Small Scale Wind Power Generation Career Ladder Soft Skills Small Energy System Installation Apprentice Experience (Electrician, Contractor, etc.) Small Energy System Installer / Dealer Soft Skills Small Energy System Installation Assistant

5 Training Curriculums PBRPC worked with Howard College to provide the training and certifications desired by the wind industry. Training covers basic electricity and hydraulics, general wind power knowledge, and wind power safety. The courses are set up so students are encouraged to take (elective) credentialing exams at completion. Because of the pace of growth of the wind industry in the region, no training, certifications or credentials have been required by employers, but they are significant assets to applicants and are usually required to move up the career ladder. The windspecific courses are taught through an agreement with Texas State Technical College (TSTC), which is the home of the Texas Wind Institute. Curriculums included in this packet of materials: Wind Training Program Certificate Associates Degree in Applied Science in Wind Energy and Turbine Technology

6 Wind Training Program: Certificate Level I, Industrial Production Technology - Energy Systems Name of the Educational Institution: Howard College provides all courses, classroom and online, with exception of the Wind courses, which are offered through a partnership with the Texas State Technical College. Prerequisites: No background experience or education required. Contact Information: Don Ewing, Workforce Development Advisor Howard College 1001 Birdwell Lane Big Spring, TX dewing@howardcollege.edu Description: This Level I certificate provides a basic level of knowledge and skills in wind generation, including industry-desired certifications. Length: The complete certificate requires 17 credit hours. Some courses may be offered online and may be self-paced. Cost of the Training: Typical training costs for this certificate are $800 - $1,000 per course. Components of Training: There are five courses required to complete this training: Intro to Wind Energy, Wind Safety, Electricity Principles, DC-AC Circuits, Basic Hydraulics. One elective course is offered, Intro to Construction Industry, which can provide an opportunity to get National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credentials. Certification: The Wind Safety course provides CPR, OSHA-10 and high-torque certification; students can elect to get credentialed through NCCER ($15/class) after completing the Basic Electrical Principles and DC-AC Circuits classes. Additional Information: This certificate program can also be taken in progress towards the completion of an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Production Technology - Energy Systems degree. Students would take these courses along with three additional semester s worth of electives and core courses to total 62 hours of course work.

7 Associates Degree: Applied Science in Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Name of the Educational Institution: This Associate s Degree is offered by Texas State Technical College (TSTC), at its West Texas campus, through a partnership with the Texas Wind Institute and Texas Tech. Prerequisites: Students are also required to take a drug test, pass a criminal background check and have their driving record checked before classes begin. Students are required to be 21 years of age to begin an internship. Contact Information: Rick Denbow Texas State Technical College 300 Homer K. Taylor Drive Sweetwater, TX rick.denbow@sweetwater.tstc.edu Description: This two-year degree includes in-depth study of wind turbine function electrical, pneumatic, communications, computer, control and hydraulic systems. Current industry standard certifications are included, as well as education on SCADA (the computerized system that controls wind turbine fields). Students also learn hands-on skills on TSTC s wind turbine, and have to complete a capstone or internship requirement. Length: This degree can be completed in four semesters or 63 credit hours. Components of Training: Training includes: DC Circuits and AC Circuits; Wind Turbine Materials and Electro-Mechanical Equipment; Digital Fundamentals; Iberdrola Renewables; Industrial Automation; Programmable Logic Controllers; Basic Fluid Power (Hydraulics and Pneumatics); Wind Business; and Wind Turbine Troubleshooting and Repair; as well as an internship or capstone. Cost of the Training: Completion of this degree typically costs $5,000 - $6,000 in tuition and fees.

8 Job Descriptions PBRPC and Howard College worked to place Pathways Out of Poverty participants into entrylevel wind jobs. This is primarily as Junior Renewable Energy Technicians, Wind Turbine Service Technicians or Installers. The majority of the jobs included in the career ladder and described here are higher-level, technical jobs, which require significant experience and/or training. They are still feasible options for the Pathways Out of Poverty participants willing to continue on in this green trade. The Wind Energy industry, in general, is such a technical, fast-growing new field that any applicants with training will have an advantage when seeking employment. Job descriptions included in this packet of materials: Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Installation and Operations Junior Renewable Energy Technician Wind Turbine Service Technician Wind Turbine Installer Wind Turbine Service Technician Team Lead Wind Field Operations Maintenance Wind Farm Operations Manager Wind Farm Project Manager Wind Project Site Manager Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development Large Scale Wind Power Generation - Sales / Consulting Renewables Account Representative Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor Small Scale Wind Power Generation Small Wind System Installation Apprentice Small Wind System Installation Assistant Small Wind System Installer (Dealer)

9 Job Description: Junior Renewable Energy Technician is an entry level position; employees will perform wind turbine resets and site call-outs, and act as a central safety call-in for project managers performing high voltage switching. Additional on-site training is provided during employment. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Junior Renewable Energy Technician are between $ $17.00 per hour. Qualifications: Formal education is not required to become a Junior Renewable Energy Technician. Trade school or apprenticeship classes are recommended. Certification: The program recommends the completion of the OSHA 30-hour Safety Training Program. Experience: Junior Renewable Energy Technician employers are typically private firms or power plants. Employer Type: Deconstruction employers are typically private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Construction Worker Electrician Welder Advancement Options: Wind Turbine Technician Wind Turbine Installer Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Junior Renewable Energy Technician

10 Job Description: Wind Turbine Service Technician is a mid-to-entry level position; employees will perform status checks on turbines and repair the problems. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Turbine Service Technician are between $ $24.00 per hour. Qualifications: Trade school or apprenticeship classes are required to become a Wind Turbine Service Technician. Certification: The program recommends the completion of the OSHA 30-hour Safety Training Program. Experience: A Wind Turbine Service Technician position does not require any prior experience. Wind Tech training is helpful, but not required. Employer Type: Wind Turbine Service Technician employers are typically private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Junior Renewable Energy Technician Wind Turbine Installer Construction Worker Electrician Welder Advancement Options: Wind Field Operations Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Turbine Service Technician

11 Job Description: Wind Turbine Installer is a mid-to-entry level position; employees will assemble and install electrical and mechanical parts (alternators, generators and rotors) for electric power generating windmills, according to product specifications. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Turbine Installer are between $ $20.00 per hour. Qualifications: A high school diploma or GED is required to become a Wind Turbine Installer. Certification: This position required the completion of the OSHA 30-hour Safety Training Program and industry training for the specific turbine model. Wind Tech training is helpful, though not required. Experience: A Wind Turbine Installer requires a minimum of four years of experience or training. Employer Type: Wind Turbine Installer employers are typically private firms, power plants or the government. Previous Job Possibilities: Junior Renewable Energy Technician Electrician Welder Construction Worker Advancement Options: Wind Turbine Service Technician Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Turbine Installer

12 Job Description: Wind Turbine Service Technician Team Lead is a mid level position; employees will lead a team of two-to-three Wind Technicians on daily operations. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Turbine Installer are between $ $25.00 per hour. Qualifications: A trade school certificate or Associate s Degree is required to become a Wind Turbine Technician Team Lead. Certification: This position required the completion of the OSHA 30-hour Safety Training Program, as well as training in rescue, high-torque and tensioning. Experience: A Wind Turbine Service Technician Team Lead requires a minimum of two-three years of experience as a Wind Turbine Technician. Employer Type: Deconstruction employers are typically private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Wind Turbine Service Technician Advancement Options: Wind Farm Operations Maintenance Wind Farm Operations Manager Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Turbine Service Technician Team Lead

13 Job Description: The Wind Field Operations Maintenance position is a mid-to-high level position; employees will work with wind power delivery operations and maintenance. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Field Operations Maintenance position are $ $27.88 per hour. Qualifications: An Associate s Degree is required for a Wind Field Operations Maintenance position. Certification: No specific certifications are required for this position. Experience: A position in Wind Field Operations Maintenance requires a minimum of four years of experience in power generation and electric systems. Employer Type: Employers are typically private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Wind Turbine Service Technician Team Lead Advancement Options: Wind Farm Operations Manager Wind Project Site Manager Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Field Operations Maintenance

14 Job Description: The Wind Farm Operations Manager position is a mid-to-high level position; this position will manage execution of all site activities receiving; installing; commissioning; maintaining expertise in field of environmental health, safety and quality procedures; and driving project requirements, including cost, schedule and performance. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Farm Operations Manager is $ $28.00 per hour. Qualifications: A Bachelor s Degree is required to become a Wind Farm Operations Manager. Certification: This position requires the completion of the OSHA 30-hour Safety Training Program. Experience: A Wind Farm Operations Manager requires a minimum of three years of experience in field management of wind farms, plus one to two years direct technical experience on wind farms. Employer Type: Wind Farm employers are typically private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Wind Turbine Services Technician Wind Field Operations Maintenance Advancement Options: Wind Project Site Manager Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Farm Operations Manager

15 Job Description: The Wind Farm Project Manager position is a high level position; this position will oversee all aspects of the technical specialities of wind power plant, including electrical engineering; turbine selection and procurement; revenue generation; expense management; and budgets. This position also is also responsible for the conceptual engineering and design of wind field processes and facilities. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Farm Project Manager is $ $43.27 per hour. Qualifications: A Bachelor s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering is required to become a Wind Farm Project Manager. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements. Experience: A Wind Farm Project Manager requires a minimum of five to ten years of experience with power plant design, maintenance and operations. Employer Type: Wind Farm employers are power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Civil Engineer Wind Fields Operations Maintenance Advancement Options: Wind Project Site Manager Wind Project Developer Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Farm Project Manager

16 Job Description: The Wind Project Site Manager position is a high level position; this position will provide day-to-day successful operations management of a wind farm. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Project Site Manager is $ $48.07 per hour. Qualifications: A Bachelor s Degree is required; MBA is recommended. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements. Experience: A Wind Project Site Manager requires a minimum of five years of experience, with extensive knowledge of wind farm site management. Employer Type: Wind Project Site Managers are typically employed in private firms or power plants. Previous Job Possibilities: Wind Farm Operations Manager Wind Farm Project Manager Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Project Site Manager

17 Job Description: The Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development position is a high level position. He or she will lead and manage the development and evaluation of wind energy business opportunities; identify and analyze potential wind energy investment opportunities; and lead projects through the research, analysis, modeling, recommendation and negotiation phases. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development position is $ $81.73 per hour. Qualifications: A Bachelor s Degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field is required. Other degrees (MBA, CPA, CMA) are recommended. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements. Experience: A Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development position requires a minimum of four to six years wind developer experience with large company or consulting firm. Employer Type: A Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development position is typically employed in private firms or power plants. Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Project Developer / Director of Wind Development

18 Job Description: The Renewables Account Representative position is a mid level position; this position requires frequent travel to sell wind generator repair, retrofit, testing and training services. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Renewables Account Representative is $ $36.06 per hour. Qualifications: An Associate s Degree is required. Wind related course work is beneficial. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements. Experience: A Renewables Account Representative requires a minimum of two to three years, with knowledge of wind collection systems and electrical distribution a requirement. Employer Type: Renewable Account Representatives are typically employed in private firms. Previous Job Possibilities: Sales related experience Wind energy experience Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Renewables Account Representative

19 Job Description: The Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor position is a mid level position; this position will offer wind power forecasting services to energy traders, regulators, wind farm owners and developers, and utilities and electric grid operators. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages for a Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor is $ $28.85 per hour. Qualifications: A Bachelor s Degree is required. Wind related course work is beneficial. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements. Experience: A Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor requires a minimum of three years of related forecasting experience, preferably in wind energy. Employer Type: Wind Power Forecasters are typically employed in private firms. Previous Job Possibilities: Renewables Account Representative Wind energy experience Texas Indiana Iowa Oregon Illinois New York Washington California Wind Power Forecaster / Wind Resource Assessor

20 Job Description: The Small Wind System Installation Apprentice is an entry level position; this position will work under a NABCEP-certified small wind system installer, in an apprenticeship position. Range of Wages: This is typically an unpaid apprenticeship. Qualifications: This position has no specific certification requirements, though training on small turbine installation (from a manufacturer) is encouraged. Certification: This position has no specific certification requirements, though the apprentice must be working towards a NABCEP certification. Experience: A Small Wind System Installation Apprenticeship requires experience in construction, electricity, circuits and welding. Employer Type: Small Wind System Installation Apprenticeships are typically offered in private firms. Advancement Options: Small Wind System Installer Across the U.S. Small Wind System Installation Apprentice

21 Job Description: The Small Wind System Installation Assistant is an entry level position; this position will assist small wind system installer. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages average between $ $20.00 per hour. Qualifications: This position has no specific certification requirements, though training on small turbine installation (from a manufacturer) is encouraged. Experience: A Small Wind System Installation Assistant position requires experience in construction, electricity, circuits and welding. Employer Type: Small Wind System Installation Assistant positions are typically offered in private firms. Advancement Options: Small Wind System Installer Across the U.S. Small Wind System Installation Assistant

22 Job Description: The Small Wind System Installer / Dealer is an entry-to-mid level position; this position will specify, configure, install, inspect, and maintain a small wind energy system that meets the performance and reliability needs of the customer, incorporating quality craftsmanship and complying with safety codes and standards. Range of Wages: Nationwide wages average between $ $28.00 per hour. Qualifications: Training on small turbine installation (from a manufacturer) is encouraged is required. Experience: A Small Wind System Installer / Dealer position requires contractor and electrician experience. On-going continuing education on the newest turbine technology is required. Employer Type: Small Wind System Installer / Dealer positions are typically offered in private firms. Previous Job Possibilities: Small Wind System Apprentice Small Wind System Installation Assistant Contractor Electrician Across the U.S. Small Wind System Installer / Dealer