Two years after its launch, Nordex Energy South Africa’s Internship Programme continues to build a pipeline of skilled technicians to service and manage wind farms.

To date, 14 young engineers with a minimum N4 qualification in the electrical, mechanical or mechatronics disciplines have received practical training aligned with the increasing demand for specialised skills in the wind industry.

Launched in November 2023, the initiative places interns on a rotational basis across the company’s wind farms in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.

They are paired with experienced service technician mentors to gain hands-on experience in turbine maintenance, troubleshooting and site operations, explains Nordex Energy South Africa head of people and culture Zelrese Brair.

The initiative aims to create a talent pool to mitigate skills shortages amid growing industry demand for skilled service technicians.

Following a two-week induction that includes technical, health, safety and working- at-heights training at the company’s Gqeberha offices, the interns are placed on a site to engage in activities such as technical work, administrative tasks, warehouse management and technical presentations covering topics like turbine systems, generator operations and energy conversion processes.

Over the 18-month period, the interns spend a few months at a time at the various wind turbine farm sites to learn about the different technologies installed across the portfolio.

The programme is monitored through monthly feedback sessions between mentors and interns to assess performance, address challenges and guide professional growth.

Several wind farms have expressed interest in offering full-time employment to interns after completion of the programme.

Nordex has already absorbed five of the inaugural cohort of seven interns following their successful completion of the wind power internship programme.

In June, Nordex Energy South Africa inducted a new group of seven interns into the programme, bringing the total to date to 14. The company plans to increase the intake to ten interns next year.