Safety, the key to success.
Meet Pete, our specialised service technician operating in the USA.
Service technicians in Alimak Group are key to ensuring safety and efficient operation of service lifts and elevators.
In this interview our highly specialised and experienced Avanti service technician, Pete will tell us about his background, motivation, daily responsibilities, common challenges, required skills, and industry trends.
Hello Pete, can you tell us about your background and experience?
I started in 2008 and now have 16 years’ experience of maintenance on Avanti lifts, climb assists, ladder and rail inspections.
What motivated you to become a wind turbine elevator/lift technician?
I found Avanti at a job fair. Avanti was looking for ex-aircraft mechanics and I used to work as one for Midwest. Sounded like a job I would enjoy, so I got hired and have been in the company ever since.
What are the primary responsibilities of a wind turbine elevator/lift technician, and what does a typical day on the job look like for you?
A typical day starts with planning what work I will do for the day with the site manager. We discuss all issues. Then I go to the wind turbines and perform the planned inspections and repairs. At the end of the day, I sometimes meet with the site manager again to discuss the plan for the following day.
My working day also involves phone calls with other sites and our Avanti Service Manager, it’s a busy job. On a typical day can sometimes be very long on site as travel to and from site also is part of the job.
Sometimes the schedule can include working weekends to help our customers to get back in operation as fast as possible. The job is not a 9-5. It is a committed road job. My goal is to do what I need to do to satisfy customers all in the name of safety.
What are your most common issues or challenges?
It can be challenging to repair equipment if a non-qualified or less trained technicians has tried to fix it before me. Untrained people can create a confusion for properly trained people to fix. This leads to more time needed for maintenance and increased costs for our customers as a lot of time and money could be saved.
Can you describe the training and certifications required to work as a wind turbine elevator/lift technician, and how do you stay updated on industry developments?
The wind industry has developed a lot during the last 15 years, from an industry quite young to become a much more mature industry now a days. Training is annually or biannually provided by Avanti Training Academy which also is qualifying third parties, Avanti is the brand of the Wind Division in Alimak Group. My Avanti training includes GWO trainings for wind, Electrical safety, First aid and CPR, AED and other Avanti product training. I am specialized for my work environment and scope of work.
How do you ensure the safety while working in wind turbines, especially considering the heights involved and exposure to potentially hazardous conditions?
I start the day with a daily planning of what I will be doing and how to negate the risks involved.
What are some of the technological advancements or innovations that have impacted your work in recent years?
My work has not changed a lot. But the reporting software has changed. In terms of the day to day, new lift technology has not greatly changed our jobs. The newer lifts tend to be even safer when used correctly by trained people than the older lifts as they are built with newer technology.
In your opinion, what are the most critical skills that a successful wind turbine elevator/lift technician should possess?
Safety is #1. A lot of people in the US are unsafe. Common sense, mechanical and electrical abilities are also useful, but safety is always number 1. Work ethic is also a requirement to be successful. Finally, integrity, do it the right way no matter how much time it takes and even if no one is watching.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a wind turbine elevator/lift technician?
Make sure you are willing to travel and be away for long periods of time. Long term, dependable, work focused, and no drama at home are the keys. Focus = safety. It is a good trade, but it is not a job for everyone, and we are always looking for dedicated service technicians to join our team.
What do you see as the future trends in the field of wind energy, and how might it impact the work of technicians?
A lot of senior techs are going to be leaving due to retirement. This could be a massive loss of knowledge as younger people need to learn from veterans, it takes years to become good at the work and learn the tips and tricks to do the job well. This is a great opportunity for the younger generation to learn from us as the challenge we are facing is the risk of lost knowledge. The industry needs long term dedicated people, not people just willing to get by. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the younger people entering the industry.