Employment Opportunity
WFWE EXCLUSIVE
This section identifies types of occupations. Employment opportunity could be created for someone currently working in an existing occupation, a newly created position within an existing occupation or a new occupation. Based on information about the business opportunity (create link to business opportunity page) for the wind energy industry, the outlook is good for a variety of occupations focused on producing electricity as well as a potential for occupations in manufacturing equipment.
Producing Electricity
There are many steps involved in planning, building and operating a wind farm. These steps can be loosely grouped into three phases:
1. Planning, Engineering and Design
2. Construction and Installation
3. Operations and maintenance
Each requires various occupations.
Phase One: Planning, Engineering, Design
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Senior project manager
- Mechanical engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Civil and geological engineer
- Surveyor
- Environmental technician
- Geographic information system (GIS) specialist
- Sales (land agent)
- Lawyer
- Public relations specialist
- Financial analyst
Work in this phase is undertaken at the initial stages of establishing a wind farm. While this phase may take several years, the on-site work required at this phase can be filled by people who may or may not normally live in the area where the wind farm is being developed The amount of employment opportunity for people who normally live in the area of the wind farm development may be limited and will depend on how the developer structures their business model and contracts their activities.
Phase Two: Construction & Installation
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Construction project manager
- Construction supervisor
- Foreman
- Electrician
- Quality assurance personnel
- Safety personnel
- Concrete/cement worker
- Heavy equipment operators – grader, back-hoe, bull dozer
- Truck driver
- Iron worker
- Crane operator
- Contract administrator
- Clerical administrator
Work in this phase is temporary (most likely less than one year) in nature and most occupations are usually filled by people who normally live in the area of the wind farm development. Most often, the work is specific to the construction and installation of the wind farm; the wind farm simply provides another opportunity for area businesses and the people they employ in these occupations.
“Currently in Canada, the construction phase presents the best opportunities for local business and jobs. Other activities related to logistics, travel, lodging and material supply generate significant additional local revenue.” Source: CanWEA website
Phase Three: Operations, Maintenance
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Operations manager
- Operator
- Electrical engineer
- Financial analyst
- Wind turbine technician
- Administrative assistant
Work in this phase is permanent in nature and some occupations may be initially filled by people who may be new to the area or temporarily live in the area but over time the positions are generally filled by people who live in the area.
Job Descriptions
Research suggests there are no standard or consistent occupational titles used by different wind farm developers. The Canadian Wind Energy Association – Detailed Labour Forecast – 2015 provides short job descriptions for occupations involved in producing electricity. To view a list of these short job descriptions, see Appendix 1 at the end of this document.
Another source providing descriptions of wind energy occupations is the Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook (on pages 13–14). While this is a U.S. based resource and presents occupational titles and information different from other sources, the information provided is helpful. Click here to view
Manufacturing Equipment
Large Wind Turbine
Currently, large wind turbines are not manufactured in Canada. Research suggests that some components are.
The types of occupations found in manufacturing of large wind turbines or components would be traditional manufacturing occupations including:
- Management
- Sales
- Mechanical engineers
- Mechanical technologists and technicians
- Mechanical trades
- Electrical engineers
- Electrical and electronics trades
- General labour
- Administration
The Canadian Wind Energy Association – Detailed Labour Forecast – 2015 provides a list of short job descriptions for occupations involved in manufacturing equipment. To view this list, see Appendix 2 at the end of this document.
Another source providing descriptions of wind energy occupations is the Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook (on page 12). While this is a U.S. based resource and presents occupational titles and information different from other sources, the information provided is helpful. Click here to view
Small Wind Turbine
Limited information was located about specific occupations in small wind manufacturing.
Articles in the Windsor Star over the past 8 months about a company recently located in Windsor that will build small wind turbines, quotes the following occupations:
- Managers in quality assurance, purchasing, manufacturing, industrial engineering and human resources
- Logistics, parts production, installation and inspection
Appendix 1
Management, Administration and Sales
Business Planning Specialist
Involved in the financing and business planning of wind projects
Technical Management and Administration
Involved in the management and administration of mechanical and electrical technicians performing maintenance and repair services
Experienced Wind Farm Project Construction Supervisor
Involved in the supervision and management of wind project construction
Wind Farm Operation Management and Administration
Involved in the management of day-to-day operation of installed wind projects
Electricity Sales and Marketing
Involved in the marketing and sale of electricity generated from active wind projects
Mechanical Engineers
Wind Project Engineer
Involved in the design, layout and planning of wind projects
Wind Resource Assessment/Specialist
Involved in characterization and validation of the wind resource at a project site
Project Due Diligence Specialist
Involved in due diligence evaluation of proposed wind projects on behalf of project financers
Electrical Engineers – with electrical and control system design skills
Power Engineer
Involved in the planning, design and certification of wind project power transmission and conditioning systems
Wind Measurement Equipment Designer
Involved in the design, testing and certification of anemometric equipment
Civil/and Geological Engineers
Civil Engineer
Involved in the planning and design of foundations, roads, buildings and other support infrastructure of wind farm projects
Civil/Geological Engineer
Involved in the testing and characterization of ground conditions for wind turbine foundation planning
Mechanical Trades and Technologists
Wind Turbine Technician (mechanical)
Involved in assembly, commissioning, maintenance and repair of wind turbines mechanical systems and components for existing wind projects
Measurement Tower Installer/Technician/Builder
Involved in the construction, installation and maintenance of anemometric equipment
Electrical Trades
Wind Turbine Electrical and Systems Technicians
Involved in assembly, commissioning, maintenance and repair of wind turbine electrical and control systems and components for existing wind projects
Power Technician/Tradesmen
Involved in the maintenance and repair of power transmission and conditioning equipment for existing wind projects
Construction Labour and Tradesman
Description
Involved in general construction activities such as road, foundation and transmission corridor building
Transport and Installation Trades
Large Equipment Transportation Specialist
Involved in the transport of large wind turbine components such as tower segments, rotor blades and assemble nacelles
Large Equipment Craning Specialist
Involved in the craning, assembly and installation of large wind turbine components
Other Specialized Professions
Community Communications Specialist
Involved in communicating with community stakeholders during project permitting and throughout the operation of wind projects
Wind Experienced Lawyers
Involved in drafting of legal agreements for various aspects of wind farm projects such as power purchase agreements, land leases etc
Civil Engineering Technician
Involved in surveying and field measurements for infrastructure planning
Civil/Geological Technician
Involved in drilling for field tests for characterizing ground conditions for turbine foundation planning
Environmental Scientist
Involved in completion of wind project environmental impact assessment
Environmental Technician
Involved in gathering data for conducting field studies for environmental impact assessments
Biologist (Flight Path and Habitat Specialization)
Involved in wildlife impact assessment for overall wind project environmental impact assessment
The complete Canadian Wind Energy Association – Detailed Labour Forecast – 2015 is available for viewing – Click here to view (create link to PDF document assumed to be stored on local web server, copy of PDF document save in Project Deliverable\Wind Energy folder).
Appendix 2
Management, Administration and Sales
Involved in supervision and business administration of manufacturing operations and marketing of wind turbines and turbine components
Mechanical Engineers – with design skills
Involved in the design, testing and certification of mechanical components of wind turbines including towers, gearboxes, nacelles blades, etc
Electrical Engineers – with electrical and control system design skills
Involved in the design, testing and certification of turbine electrical systems including controllers, generators, grid interconnection systems, substation design, etc
Mechanical Trades and Technologists
Involved in manufacturing of mechanical component of wind turbines including towers, gearboxes, nacelles, blades, etc
Electrical Trades
Involved in manufacturing and assembly of turbine electrical systems including controllers, generators, grid interconnection systems, substation design etc
General Labor – with on the job training
Involved in general preparation, assembly and inventory management of manufactured electrical and mechanical wind turbine components
The complete Canadian Wind Energy Association – Detailed Labour Forecast – 2015 is available for viewing – Click here to view.
Click Here to Watch: Employment Opportunities in the Wind Energy Sector
