Three trade pathways
The programme publishes electrical, mechanical and instrument-and-control pathways. Applicants retain their primary trade while building understanding across the other technical disciplines.
Oil and gas to wind
Wind technician cross-skill programme.
Independent guidance for qualified electrical, mechanical and instrument-and-control technicians checking the six-week ECITB and GWO wind-maintenance cross-skill route.
The Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Cross Skill Programme was launched in July 2026 by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board in partnership with Global Wind Organisation and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. It is intended to support qualified technicians moving between oil and gas and wind operations and maintenance.
The six-week route recognises existing trade competence and adds wind-specific technical and safety learning. It does not turn general offshore experience into a technician qualification, replace the published prerequisites or guarantee a course place or job.
Competence before conversion
Applicants must evidence ongoing current competence in their primary discipline, such as through the relevant Connected Competence tests, and hold the published qualification or apprenticeship evidence.
Published prerequisites
The official route refers to a relevant Level 3 NVQ, VQ or SCQF Level 6, or a completed electrical, mechanical or instrument-and-control engineering or maintenance apprenticeship.
2026/27 interest registration
Workers can register interest for 2026/27. ECITB-approved training providers will contact eligible interested workers after regional cohort dates are confirmed.
Published entry evidence
Check your trade route before registering.
Select the discipline supported by your qualification and current technical competence. Safety certificates alone do not satisfy these trade prerequisites.
Electrical
Qualification: Relevant Level 3 NVQ/VQ/SCQF Level 6 or an electrical engineering or maintenance apprenticeship.
Current competence evidence
- TIE08Installing AC electrical motors
- TEM06Inspecting, testing and maintaining industrial switchgear
- TEM14Periodic inspection of a three-phase electrical system
Cross-training received
Mechanical and Instrument and Control pathways.
Mechanical
Qualification: Relevant Level 3 NVQ/VQ/SCQF Level 6 or a mechanical engineering or maintenance apprenticeship.
Current competence evidence
- TMM01Maintaining hydraulic systems
- TMM05Maintaining centrifugal pumps
- TMJI10Dismantling, assembling and hand-torque tightening flanged joints
Cross-training received
Electrical and Instrument and Control pathways.
TMJI10 is not required as a prerequisite when the attendee completes MJI10 during the programme.
Instrument and Control
Qualification: Relevant Level 3 NVQ/VQ/SCQF Level 6 or an instrument-and-control engineering or maintenance apprenticeship.
Current competence evidence
- TMI14Maintaining flow measurement and control systems
- TMI17Maintaining, calibrating and commissioning process control valves
- TSBT02Disassembling and reinstalling small-bore tubing assemblies
Cross-training received
Mechanical and Electrical pathways.
Six-week programme
What the published route contains.
Common technical and safety training
- CCNSG Safety Passport
- GWO Basic Safety Training: First Aid, Working at Height, Manual Handling and Fire Awareness
- GWO Enhanced First Aid
- GWO Basic Technical Training
- GWO Slinger Signaller
- GWO Advanced Rescue Training
- Energy Institute Wind Turbine Safety Rules Core Course
Wind-specific learning
- Onshore and offshore wind awareness
- Introduction to SCADA
- Introduction to high-voltage switchgear
- Condition monitoring on wind turbines
- Site visit to ORE Catapult's Levenmouth demonstration turbine
Optional modules
- ECITB MJI10 and MJI33 Torque and Tension Wind Turbine Bolted Connections for Electrical and Instrument and Control attendees
- ECITB Slinger Banksman
- GWO Sea Survival
Maintenance outcomes
- Prepare maintenance and post-maintenance actions
- Perform maintenance safely and effectively
- Conclude and document maintenance activity
Evidence on completion
- ECITB programme certificate
- Relevant GWO training record in WINDA
- Portfolio and assessment route mapped to the ITC First Level 3 Award in Safe Working Practice in the Wind Turbine Industry
Progression
The programme identifies progression towards troubleshooting and technical development across engineering, management and consulting roles.
Decision sequence
From target role to verified evidence.
Use a controlled sequence so the course supports a real role and the resulting evidence can be assessed accurately.
Confirm your primary trade
Identify the electrical, mechanical or instrument-and-control discipline supported by your formal qualification, apprenticeship and recent work history.
Check current competence
Compare your evidence with the programme leaflet and the Connected Competence tests specified for your trade. Do not assume an offshore safety certificate satisfies the technical prerequisite.
Register through ECITB
Use the official programme page to register interest for 2026/27. This records interest only; it is not a course booking, employment application or funding decision.
Confirm the final offer
When an approved provider contacts you, verify the cohort location, dates, complete syllabus, funding position, personal contribution and evidence issued before accepting.
Verified next steps
Check the source.
Provider information, funding rules and course availability can change. Use these links to check the current position.
Register interest for the 2026/27 programmeDownload the official ECITB programme leafletOpen the official ECITB programme pageRead the official GWO programme announcementCheck Connected Competence technical-test vouchersCheck Scotland's Transition Training FundOpen electrical and mechanical technician pathway
Common questions
Wind technician cross-skill programme questions
These answers explain the route and identify where the official scheme, provider or employer makes the final decision.
Is this programme an offshore wind vacancy?
No. It is a cross-skill training pathway. Course participation and employment recruitment are separate processes, and Offshore Personnel will label any authorised vacancy separately.
Can any oil and gas worker join?
Not automatically. The published route is for technicians who can evidence a relevant electrical, mechanical or instrument-and-control qualification or apprenticeship and ongoing current competence in that trade.
Does registering interest guarantee a place?
No. The 2026/27 form records interest. ECITB-approved providers will announce regional cohorts and contact interested workers after dates are confirmed; the provider must still confirm eligibility and acceptance.
What evidence is issued on completion?
The published route includes an ECITB certificate and the relevant GWO training record in WINDA. It is also mapped to an ITC First Level 3 Award route that uses a portfolio from GWO practical elements and assessment through an ITC First approved provider.
Can temporary workers get help with competence tests?
Connected Competence publishes a free technical-test voucher route for eligible temporary workers who work, or seek work, with participating Connected Competence employers. Availability and eligibility must be confirmed through the official voucher process.
Is the programme fully funded?
Funding is not automatic. The UK and Scottish governments have committed support through Scotland's Transition Training Fund, but residency, worker status, programme acceptance and the current scheme rules must be confirmed by the official bodies.
Does Offshore Personnel provide or approve the course?
No. Offshore Personnel provides independent role and evidence guidance. ECITB manages the official programme route, GWO maintains the relevant training standards and approved providers will confirm delivery.