A Groundbreaking Apprenticeship Program for Wind Technicians

Safety Technology USA successfully established a U.S. Department of Labor-approved Registered Apprenticeship program for wind turbine technicians within a year.

Photo Courtesy Safety Technology USA

Dr Deborah Williamson,Vice-President, IWSI America. 

How do you create a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeshipprogram for wind turbine technicians—and get it approved in just one year? Jeremy McKelvain, an Air Force veteran and leader at Safety Technology USA (STL USA), has done exactly that. His work is reshaping the wind energy sector by providing high-quality, structured training for the next generation of wind technicians.

While STL USA doesn’t design, manufacture, or maintain wind turbines, they play a critical role in the industry: training, upskilling, and certifying wind technicians.With just 14 employees, STL USA provides industry-leading, onsite certification and recertification training across the U.S. and internationally. Their commitment to workforce development led them to create a nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship program, which received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor in December 2024.

This program aligns with Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards, ensuring that certified apprentices are not just trained for U.S. operations, but also prepared for global opportunities in the wind energy sector.From the Air Force to Wind Energy Leadership

McKelvain spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he held technical and leadership roles, ultimately retiring as a Master Sergeant. He now leads WindStart, STL USA’s pre-apprenticeship training program. This three-to-four-week course is expanding through the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program, which connects transitioning service members with job-training opportunities.

“The higher I climbed in rank and responsibility in the military, the more I focused on mentorship, problem-solving, and ensuring people had the resources they needed,” says McKelvain. “That experience translates perfectly to what we’re doing at STL USA.”

When he joined STL, the company had already identified a critical gap in the wind industry: the lack of a structured apprenticeship program to help businesses develop their workforce. With the federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act, STL USA seized the opportunity to link WindStart with a standalone apprenticeship program that employers could use to upskill their workforce.

“We don’t just want to serve veterans through SkillBridge,” McKelvain explains. “Our goal is to build a safer, stronger wind industry by developing highly trained, competent technicians.”

The Growing Need for Wind Technicians

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that the wind energy sector will require 124,000 new turbine technicians by 2030, a staggering 61% increase from 2020. STL USA saw this demand as an opportunity to engage with state and local governments, workforce leaders, and employers to push for wind turbine technician roles to be recognized as critical occupations under federal workforce programs.

Wind technician apprenticeships are relatively new and unconventional, but McKelvain discovered Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, a national coalition dedicated to helping businesses establish Registered Apprenticeship programs. Partnering with IWSI America, a workforce development nonprofit, McKelvain navigated the complex process of securing program approval.

“I probably asked IWSI America the same questions a dozen times,” McKelvain laughs. “But they helped point me in the right direction, and we kept refining the program until it met all requirements.”

A Competency-Based Training Approach

STL USA’s apprenticeship program goes beyond standard Department of Labor requirements. While all Registered Apprenticeship programs require at least 288 training hours, STL USA requires 414 contact hours, ensuring higher competency levels and better-prepared technicians.“Our approach offers flexibility for employers, allowing them to tailor training to the specific turbine models their teams work on,” McKelvain explains. “At the same time, it gives employers confidence that their apprentices are exceptionally well-trained and meet the highest industry standards.”

Unlike traditional apprenticeships, which often follow a strict time-based structure, STL USA’s model is competency-based—meaning apprentices progress based on skill mastery rather than simply logging hours.

“This allows high-performing apprentices to advance faster than the standard two-year timeline, accelerating their careers and getting them into the field sooner,” McKelvain says. “But we also document every step to ensure that we’re meeting apprenticeship standards and working in close collaboration with employers and apprentices.”

Scaling Up: The Future of STL USA's Apprentieship Program

STL USA is now focused on securing funding to expand the program. McKelvain hopes to enroll up to 50 apprentices in the first year, with a goal of scaling to 500–750 apprentices over the next five years.

The program is perfect for individuals who are passionate about mechanics, electrical work, heavy machinery, and troubleshooting.

“Apprentices in this field will gain valuable hands-on experience and work directly on cutting-edge wind energy projects,” McKelvain says. “Employers are looking for individuals with strong commitment, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and teamwork abilities.”

One key trait McKelvain emphasizes is safety awareness. “In this industry, safety isn’t just a requirement—it’s a mindset,” he explains. “If you see something unsafe, you need to be the person who speaks up and says, ‘That’s not the way we were trained.’”

With wind energy rapidly expanding, now is the perfect time to invest in structured, high-quality workforce training. STL USA’s Registered Apprenticeship program sets a new benchmark for wind technician training and ensures that apprentices enter the industry with the skills, experience, and knowledge they need to succeed.

Contact the ACE Network for more information on how you can start or join a Registered Apprenticeship program in clean energy.