TRAINING & WORKFORCE COMPETENCYBASED TRAINING Learning the skills necessary to be successful as a wind-turbine technician requires hours of hands-on practice. (Courtesy: KVCC) 18  APRIL 201

As the need for more technicians continues to grow, the Wind Turbine Technician Academy at Kalamazoo Valley Community College is making sure those techs are properly qualified. By THOMAS SUTTON and DELIA BAKER reating an educated workforce skilled to meet the demands of a changing economy is the focus at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Groves Campus. Originally opened in 2001 as one of 18 M-TEC facilities across the state, the Groves Center was financed by a $5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It offers a variety of training programs for those looking to...

TRAINING & WORKFORCE  New wind-energy projects are being constructed throughout the U.S., and they will require technicians to maintain and service wind turbines. The demand for highly trained wind-turbine technicians will continue to rise as more projects are constructed.  time to a minimum, spending about 85 percent of their time in the laboratory or in the field. TRAINING SERIES Additionally, students enrolled in the academy must complete ENSA GWO BST training series, which includes working at heights, first aid, fire prevention, and manual handling. All work-at-heights training is completed...

TEAM-1v/m\ Academy Professional Rescue & Safety Training WORKING AT HEIGHTS & RESCUETRAINING TEAM-1 Academy has a sterling reputation and extensive experience in the Wind Industry matched by no others. TEAM-1 has conducted thousands of training session with zero accidents/injuries. TEAM-1 maintains GWO (Global Wind Organization) accreditation as a global training provider for Wind Industry specific courses. Non-GWO courses also available. Working at Heights Fire Awareness Advanced Rescue First Aid Manual Handling Confined Space Entry/Rescue Training sessions can be held at your site(s) or at...

TRAINING & WORKFORCE uates receive the knowledge and skills needed to satisfy all of the requirements of the industry. Kalamazoo Valley’s WTTA has earned both the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) seal of approval and certification by the Bildungszentrum für Erneuerbare Energien (BZEE) Renewable Energy Education Center. Upon successful completion of a series of written and practical tests, as well as a completion of the field service, students receive certification as a service technician for wind-turbine engineering through the BZEE. Companies in the wind industry have become familiar...