Wind students from Clovis Community College recently climbed the 1.5 MW wind turbine, located adjacent to the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC), at Mesalands Community College.
After successfully completing the one-credit course at Mesalands, the students received certification in tower rescue training and gained invaluable knowledge in their chosen field.
Eli Garcia, a wind student from Clovis Community College, describes his first experience climbing a wind turbine at Mesalands Community College:
‘The climb, at first, was a little difficult, but it was well worth the wait for that experience. Going up the turbine and looking at everything inside gave me a physical picture of actually what I've been studying. It was fun!’
Mesalands Community College has been partnering with Clovis Community College on this project for the past four years. Jim Morgan, director of the NAWRTC at Mesalands, explains the significance of partnerships such as these.
‘We enjoy working with the students and instructors from Clovis Community College. I personally like to see the excitement on the students' faces after their first time climbing a wind turbine. We are honored that we have the facilities and a wind turbine on campus that will make that experience a reality for wind students prior to graduation,’ Morgan says. ‘We work with many different organizations and companies from all over the country to train students to become well-qualified wind technicians and to advance the future research of wind energy technology.’
Wind students from both Mesalands Community College and Clovis Community College, under the direction of (Left) Terrill Stowe, Wind Energy Technology Instructor at Mesalands, climb the college's wind turbine at the North American Wind Research and Training Center to obtain hands-on training.
