As the number of wind turbines goes up, so too will the number of wind turbine technicians. Just like every other machine, wind turbines are exposed to natural wear and tear—and the occasional lightning strike—and sometimes someone has got to get up there for a little TLC. A video from YouTube channel Great Big Story shows how one woman ended up taking on the remarkable job.
Wind turbine technicians might soon gain the notoriety of antenna maintenance workers, climbing hundreds of feet into the air to make repairs. But soon, the turbine techs might outnumber the antenna workers. In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a job growth rate of 108% in the field, which it notes is "much faster than average."
Considering how the United States just opened up its first offshore wind farm, anyone looking into the job might want to make sure they have their sea legs in addition to no fear of heights.
David Grossman is a staff writer for PopularMechanics.com. He's previously written for The Verge, Rolling Stone, The New Republic and several other publications. He's based out of Brooklyn.
