Be ready for an office with a view.
In under a year you’ll learn from industry-experienced instructors how to work on actual wind turbine components and scale the campus training tower. Gain real-life hands-on experience by working on our 309,000-pound nacelle – that’s about the same weight as 77 cars or a fully-loaded passenger aircraft!
Why should you study Wind Turbine Technician at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
Combine theory and hands-on lab practice using actual wind turbine components. With a focus on safety, the Wind Turbine Technician program allows you to earn numerous globally recognized safety certificates, and you may even be eligible to write the first-year Electrician Apprenticeship exam if you choose. Safely scale your career in our 8,400 square-foot shop equipped with world-class training and equipment through a partnership with Team-1 Academy. Once certified, your skills will be extremely marketable in this growing industry, with many students being hired within days of graduation.
1 partnership
with TEAM-1 Academy, which provides world-class training and equipment to Lethbridge Polytechnic students and faculty
8,400
the number of square feet in our wind turbine shop
309,000
the weight, in pounds, of the college’s nacelle, which provides students with hands-on experience working with actual wind turbine components
Career Opportunities
Once certified, your skills will be extremely marketable in this burgeoning industry; many of our students are hired within days of graduation. You'll have multiple future career pathways as a:
- Apprentice Electrician
- Blade Repair Technician
- Wind Turbine Construction
- Wind Turbine Maintenance
- Wind Turbine Manufacturing
- Wind Turbine Technician
Some companies have weight restrictions for technicians at 310lbs with all of their PPE and gear on as this is the maximum rated capacity allowed on most safety gear.
85%
of our Wind Turbine Technician grads had a related job less than one year after completing the program
GWO Certification
Our Wind Turbine Technician program is one of the only in Canada offering Global Wind Organization (GWO) certified training, preparing graduates to work worldwide. Students can earn Basic Safety Training (BST), Advanced Rescue Training (ART), and Basic Technical Training (BTT).
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Certificate
Duration
1 year
International Eligibility
This program is available for International Students.
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
Apply NowNew applicants are accepted into the Wind Turbine Technician program in the Fall (September) term.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Alternate Admission
Alternate admission applicants must successfully complete the Alberta Apprenticeship first period Electrical pre-entrance exam with a minimum grade of 70%.
Non-Academic Requirements
Students are to supply the following program-approved personal safety equipment:
- coveralls or work clothes
- steel-toed boots with ankle covered
Medical Requirements
This program requires applicants to be in good physical condition. Applicants must be able to perform physical duties such as climbing ladders of 60 to 125 meters in height, lifting items up to 22.5 kg (50 lbs.) in weight, working at heights and in confined spaces.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Wind Turbine Technician certificate.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| WHS-1110 | Workplace Safety | 3 |
| WTT-1100 | Introductory Electrical Theory | 3 |
| WTT-1103 | DC Laboratory Fundamentals | 3 |
| WTT-1104 | Canadian Electrical Code and Blueprint Reading | 3 |
| WTT-1110 | Wind Turbine Safety I | 3 |
| WTT-1114 | Wind Turbine Mechanical | 3 |
| WTT-1115 | Wind Energy Theory | 1.5 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term II | ||
| WTT-1113 | Wind Turbine Rotor Blades | 1.5 |
| WTT-1118 | Wind Park Construction | 3 |
| WTT-1120 | Wind Turbine Safety II | 3 |
| WTT-1121 | Motor Controls & PLC's | 3 |
| WTT-1125 | Wind Turbine Industry Communication | 1.5 |
| WTT-1127 | Wind Turbine Hydraulics | 1.5 |
| WTT-1129 | Wind Turbine Electrical | 3 |
| WTT-1130 | Wind Turbine Maintenance | 6 |
| Credits | 22.5 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Important Notes:
- Applicants must be comfortable working at extreme heights and weather conditions and should not suffer from motion sickness.
- Applicants must have strong mechanical aptitude and experience working with hand tools.
- As international travel may be required, most industries require potential employees to be eligible for passports.
- Upon completion of course it is strongly recommended that student hold a current driver’s license as travel is required to training and instructional sites.
- A good working knowledge of the English language (including speaking, comprehension, reading and writing) is necessary for success in the program and future employment opportunities.
- When WTT-1100 Introductory Electrical Theory (3 credits), WTT-1103 DC Laboratory Fundamentals (3 credits), and WTT-1104 Canadian Electrical Code and Blueprint Reading (3 credits) are combined together they form the requirements for the first period technical training for the Electrician Apprenticeship Period One program. After completion of the Wind Turbine Technician program (or at least the three courses named above), the student could be indentured in the electrician trade and could complete their technical training through to journeyman status by attending the Electrician Apprenticeship Program available at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
Apprenticeship Pathway
Students who have successfully completed Lethbridge Polytechnic's Wind Turbine Technician Certificate program can continue to obtain their Journeyman Certification by registering with Apprenticeship Alberta. For more information about Alberta's apprenticeship requirements go to MyTradesecrets.
View course timetables
Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$7,770.00
|
$2,425.00
|
$1,200.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$23,520.00
|
$2,425.00
|
$1,200.00
|
Notes
Students in this program are required to purchase their own mobile learning device. Check your letter of admission or contact your program office – there are minimum requirements.
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.
Supplies
Students are to supply the following program-approved personal safety equipment:
- coveralls or work clothes
- steel-toed boots with ankle covered
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Wind Turbine Technician program is delivered on campus face-to-face.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge Polytechnic awards and scholarships - visit our Awards and Scholarships page for more information.
Featured Graduates
Kyla Bakke
“Lethbridge College gave me the ability to problem solve, which was very effective going into the early stages of my career where everything was brand new and exciting. I’m happy and extremely proud to say that I surpassed my own career goals I’ve set for myself.”
Ty Provost
“The second day of training they had us to the top of a tower near Coaldale. It was a bit windy and you could feel the tower swaying a little. You have to be immune to motion sickness, but it was enjoyable.”
Otys Potts-LittleMustache
“I was 20 years old and making good money but tired of working at this place already. My mom said ‘Well, look at the college.’ I thought I was too old to do that, too old to go back to school. But she had been reading about the new wind turbine program and brought it up to me, and it looked good. So, I applied and got accepted, and then I had to work on funding.”