Dabney S. Lancaster Community College will begin a training program to prepare individuals to work as service technicians on wind turbines. The cirriculum was approved on January 21 by the State Board for Community Colleges which noted that this was the first program of its kind to be approved in the community college system in Virginia. Students may select a Career Studies Certificate (29 credits)or a Certificate program with technical and general education courses totaling 44 credits. This program was developed by the Continuting Education and Workforce Services Division of the College and is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010.

"We are excited about this new program", commented Gary Keener, Vice President of CEWS. "It is important to keep up-to-date on skills and abilities to find employment or prepare to change careers. This program addresses the need for more skilled workers in job related to the growing field of renewable energy; with our new training, it will be possible to meet the requirements set by the wind energy industry for qualified technicians. Those who develop solid skills, demonstrate a willingness to meet changing needs of industry and display a serious commitment to teamwork and workplace safety will find good employment opportunities at a high rate of pay."

In addition to several general education courses, the program will include instruction in topics such as electrical power and control systems; supervisory control and acquisition of data (SCADA); programmable logic controllers (PLCs); wind power delivery systems; turbine troubleshooting and repair; and mechatronics, which introduces the ways in which mechanical, electrical and computer technologies can be integrated in automated processes and systems. Students in the program will be encouraged to include an internship or cooperative education activity while they are enrolled so that they have the chance to participate in supervised experiences at a wind farm.

"Our goal is to continually add to programs of study at DSLCC so our students will have the education and training that meets current and emerging workplace demands," added Dr. Richard Teaff, President of the College. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to prepare students to participate in the anticpated expansion of green jobs. DSLCC will be one of the first colleges on the East Coast to offer this type of training for those who seek employment related to renewable energy."

For more information about the Wind Turbine Service Technician Program, contact Earl Dodrill, Workforce Services Coordinator, at 540.863.2902 or edodrill@dslcc.edu. Prospective students may visit www.dslcc.edu for more information about admission requirements and course descriptions. Registration for the summer and fall terms begins on April 5. Placement testing and appointments with advisors to select appropriate courses are available at no cost. Interested individuals may call Student Services on campus at 540.863.2815 or the DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center at 540.261.1211.

Source: The Alleghany Journal