The presentation discusses training methods for wind technicians. It describes the Danish Wind Power Academy, which provides training programs. There are four main training modes: classroom instruction, laboratory practice, hands-on experience in turbines, and training in factories. When hiring technicians, companies should consider both experienced workers for their skills and new hires like college graduates for their trainability. The best approach is a hybrid model that balances new and experienced technicians, provides clear expectations and mentorship programs, and focuses on attitude, mechanical aptitude, and safety culture.

1. Subjects
1 Introduction
2 Skills of a wind tech?
3 Hiring Approaches: Experienced vs. New
4 Training methods and effectiveness
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[Program]
Training and Worker Development
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2. [Program] [Subjects]
Introduction
Borescope training at DWPA
Danish Wind Power Academy
 Started in 2004 in Middelfart,
Denmark
 Focus on helping owners and
operators improve site performance
by training and advising on assets
 Former OEM trainers (Vestas,
Bonus, Siemens, NEG-Micon, GE,
Nordex)
DWPA Americas
 US office opened September 2014
 Denver Tech Center (DTC) -
Englewood, Colorado
Middlefart, DKDenver, CO
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About the Company

3. [Program] [Subjects]
Skills of a Wind Technician?
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
What is their job tasks?
 Maintenance
 Troubleshooting
 Construction
 Commissioning
 Balance of Plant (High Voltage)
 Safety
 Quality Assurance
 Site Lead
 Parts and Inventory
 Component Specialist
(Gearbox, Blades, Converters,
Hydraulics)
ConstructionQuality Assurance
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4. [Program] [Subjects]
Skills of Wind Technician
Turbine Specific Schematics
Core Skills
 Climb and Rescue
 Safety (OSHA, NFPA70E)
 Multimeter basics
 Schematic symbols and drawings
 AC and DC Motors
 3-phase electricity
 AC-DC Basics
 Tools (hand tools, torque tools, etc.)
 Generators
 Power electronics
Focus on: Electrical Schematics
Work at Height and RescueSCADA (software)
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Core Skills

5. [Program] [Subjects]
Skills of Wind Technician
Qualified Electrical Workers
 OSHA 1910.332(a)
 “The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts
from other parts of electrical equipment … [and] determine their nominal
voltages and clearance distances.”
 Work in and around the electrical cabinets, which could include
isolating, troubleshooting, or replacing electrical parts (< 700 volt, three-
phase power). The qualified workers would have to be trained on the
(model) specific equipment’s operation, hazards, and electrical
schematics.
 This involves training both in classroom as well as on the turbine model
that the work will be performed.
 On the Job training must be performed by a qualified person with a
‘show-me’ component that is documented
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Core Skills

6. [Program] [Subjects]
Skills of Wind Technician
Turbine Specific Schematics
Understanding How the Turbine
Operates
 Basic functions of the specific
turbine model
 Operation States
 Human Machine Interface (HMI)
 Safety Chain
Wind Turbines are Highly
Automated Robotic Power Plants
Climb and RescueSCADA (software)
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Core Skills

7. [Program] [Subjects]
Teaching and Learning - Academics
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8. [Program] [Subjects]
In the lab
In the factory
Four Training
modes:
 Classroom
(Theory)
 Laboratory
(Practice)
 Turbines
(Real world)
 Factory
(Ownership)
In the classroom
In the turbine
Teaching and Learning – Industrial Training
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9. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Pools of potential candidates
• Colleges and certificate
programs
• Experienced wind
technicians
• Oil & Gas sector
• Mining sector
• Returning military vets
• Electricians
• Mechanics
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10. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Hydraulic knowledge
Advantages to
Experienced Techs
 ‘Plug and play’
 Mentor others
 Been through evolution of
industry
(understand why things
have changed)
 Safety conscious
 Trainable?
Climbing into hub
Mechanical aptitude
Legacy technology
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11. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Hydraulic knowledge
Disadvantages to
Experienced Techs
 Embedded bad habits
 May not be used to new
technology
(Power converters, computer
control systems)
 May be tired of climbing Climbing into hub
Mechanical aptitude
Legacy technology
4/14/2016UVIG Presentation Slide 12

12. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Critical thinkers
Advantages to College
Trained
 Self-motivated to learn
 Good attitude
 Understand basics of
electricity and controls
Student
Trainable
Self-motivated to learn
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13. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Critical thinkers
Disadvantages to College
Trained
 Don’t fully understand job
yet
 Theoretical knowledge
without practice
(unless offered internship)
Student
Trainable
Self-motivated to learn
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14. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Hire good attitude
Best approach
Hybrid of new and experienced
 First of all…Have a plan for
hiring and on-boarding. This
means preparing processes,
skills-matrix, pay rates,
everything before ramp-up.
 Bring together the right
balance of new techs with
experienced. Depends on
site and situation.
Set clear expectations for all!
Ensure mentorship
Hire someone trainable
Schedule new with experienced
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15. [Program] [Subjects]
Hiring Practices
Hire good attitude
Best approach
 Ensure mentorship on site
(OJT) by teaming up
experienced with new techs.
 Hire people based on good
attitude, trainable, mechanical
aptitude, good work ethic
 Train all of them on Core
skills and Qualify them as
Electrical Workers on turbines
 Invest in them regardless of
the risk of turnover
 Foster safety culture
Ensure mentorship
Hire someone trainable
Schedule new with experienced
4/14/2016UVIG Presentation Slide 16

16. [Program] [Subjects]
Thank you!
Open course Denver
Thank you!
Contact Shawn Lamb at:
SJL@DanishWPA.com
Colbeck’s Corner, TX
Cedar Creek II, CO
Milford Wind Park, UT
Panther Creek II, TX
Panther Creek, TX
4/14/2016UVIG Presentation Slide 17
Fire Island, Alaska