This guide will help you understand the qualifications required, provide resources for training and education, and lead you to current job opportunities.
Wind trade professionals in Anchorage play a crucial role in renewable energy infrastructure development and maintenance. They work on wind turbines that generate clean power for Anchorage and the wider Alaska Railbelt corridor.
Common wind trade jobs in Anchorage include:
The growth of the industry is driven by major wind project developments like the Shovel Creek Wind project (210 MW) and Little Mount Susitna Wind (280 MW), aiming to cover about one-fifth of the energy needs along the Alaskan Railbelt corridor, including Anchorage4.
Yes, most employers require at least a certificate in wind turbine technology or a closely related technical field. Some positions may prefer an Associate's Degree in Renewable Energy Technology4.
Safety certifications are particularly valued in the hazardous wind trade environment, including:
These certifications ensure that technicians can work safely and efficiently in challenging conditions, including high altitudes and extreme cold1.
The University of Alaska offers a Sustainable Energy Training Program that provides foundational academic training for future wind turbine technicians. This popular program teaches core topics in sustainable energy and wind turbine mechanics and integrates hands-on practice through access to wind turbines or partnerships with apprenticeship programs4.
Other training resources in Anchorage include:
To find accredited training programs:
Individuals can find and apply for wind trade positions through several online platforms:
To optimize your application for wind trade positions:
This video features a firsthand account of someone working in the field and can provide insights into the day-to-day of a wind turbine technician4.
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | United States National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Wind trade job growth (2023-2033 projection) | 60% growth2 | 5-32% growth over 1-2 year intervals3 |
| Wind energy technician position rank | Emerging hub | Nation's second-fastest growing occupation (2017)3 |
| Wind generation contribution | Rapidly expanding scale | 6.6% of total electricity generation (2018)3 |
The data clearly indicates that Anchorage is becoming a major center for wind trade jobs compared to the national average.
The wind trade sector in Anchorage offers both challenges and opportunities for career advancement.
Opportunities:
Challenges:
North Wind Group is one company currently hiring for wind-related trade positions in Anchorage6.
Anchorage presents an exciting opportunity to enter a rapidly growing field that's vital for sustainable energy development. With an abundant local wind resource near Anchorage and Cook Inlet and continuing investments in renewable energy5, the long-term outlook for wind trade professionals is promising.
Here's your checklist to get started:
As you gain experience and build your skills, the opportunities in Anchorage's wind trade sector will continue to grow. Be sure to check out Gild regularly for new apprenticeship and entry-level opportunities near you!
https://www.akenergyauthority.org/What-We-Do/Renewable-Energy-and-Energy-Efficiency/Wind/Analysis-Data ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/wind-market-reports-2022-edition ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.airswift.com/blog/wind-energy-projects-usa ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
https://www.pacificenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AKRenewableEnergyFuture_FullReport.pdf ↩ ↩2
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/co/North-Wind-Group/Jobs/-in-Anchorage,AK ↩
