WIND TURBINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TRAINING

September 2026.

What began as an investment in technical skills has grown into a meaningful pathway into the renewable energy sector for young people in the Eastern Cape. Since its inception in 2021, the Wind Turbine Service Technician Training Programme has supported close to 20 young people from Cookhouse, Somerset East, Bedford and Adelaide communities, equipping them with specialised skills that have opened doors to employment while bringing new skills, income and opportunities back to their communities.

Funded by Cookhouse Wind Farm in partnership with Suzlon Wind Energy South Africa, the programme recently marked another milestone, with five trainees graduating after completing seven months of classroom-based theory. The programme consists of seven months of classroom-based theoretical and technical instruction, followed by two months of experiential learning at a wind farm, equipping participants with the technical knowledge, practical skills and safety competencies. Of this latest cohort, two graduates have already secured permanent employment, while a third has obtained an internship.

“The training has given me much more than just a certificate. I gained practical skills, confidence and a better understanding of what it takes to work in the wind energy industry. The experience challenged me, but it also showed me that I am capable of learning and growing in a technical field. I now feel better prepared and one step closer to building a career as a Wind Turbine Technician,” said Sita Inani Qongqo, a programme graduate from Bedford.

For young people from communities where opportunities in specialised technical fields can be limited, the programme has offered more than training. Participants receive, transport assistance, stipends, as well as mentorship, helping to remove practical barriers to training away from home.

Implemented by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology through its South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC), the programme has evolved to keep pace with the needs of the renewable energy sector. Its curriculum has expanded to include turbine diagnostics, digital monitoring systems and safety compliance, while stronger industry partnerships have helped create clearer pathways to employment and internships for graduates.

“This programme has had a transformative impact on the youth in our beneficiary communities. By equipping young people with specialised technical skills, it has opened doors to stable employment in a growing industry and enabled graduates to contribute to South Africa’s clean energy transition. This is the longer-term value of skills development, creating opportunities for young people to build careers and participate meaningfully in the renewable energy economy,” said Shariefa Rhode, Social Performance Manager for Cookhouse Wind Farm.