The Maine Community College System Board of Trustees formally approved a proposal brought forth by Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) in Presque Isle to introduce a wind power technology program. College officials plan to offer initial courses in January, with the intent of bringing the full program online next fall.
‘Given the recent and current activity in our region and the discussion statewide about the tremendous potential for further development of wind power throughout Maine, as well as in neighboring New England states and Canadian Maritime provinces, this program will meet both an immediate and an emerging need throughout the region,’ says NMCC President Timothy Crowley. ‘We believe the wind power technology program will provide a valuable and needed resource for entities that erect turbines, as well as excellent placement opportunities for future graduates of the college.’
Work on establishing the curriculum for the wind power technology program was completed over the past year by NMCC faculty and staff in collaboration with wind developers and energy utilities that indicated to the college that the presence of a trained workforce will significantly enhance their ability to develop wind energy projects in the region.
‘We are very excited about the new wind power technology curriculum and look forward to working with staff and faculty at Northern Maine Community College as this program develops. Educating a skilled workforce to support regional wind projects is an integral part of developing wind power that holds much promise for the economy of northern Maine,’ says Maine Public Service Co. President and CEO Brent M. Boyles.
NMCC has existing programs in electrical construction and maintenance and computer electronics – two fields that serve as the foundations for the multidisciplinary industry of wind power.
SOURCE: Northern Maine Community College
