The Dumas (Texas) Economic Development Corp. recently presented Paul Matney, acting president of Amarillo College, with a $69,000 grant to expand the school's Renewable Energy – Wind Technology program.
Amarillo College launched the Renewable Energy – Wind Technology Program in 2008 after the Texas Higher Education coordinating board granted approval for the college to offer two certificate programs and an associate's degree in wind energy. The program has since been based at the East Campus in Amarillo. The grant will allow the program to be expanded to the college's Moore County campus.
The basic wind technician certificate involves 25 credit hours over a two-semester span, while an advanced certificate consists of 39 credit hours. Amarillo College's 66-hour Associate of Applied Science degree in renewable energy/wind technology became the first applied science degree of its kind among community colleges in Texas.
The program prepares students for careers in the operation, maintenance and manufacturing of wind turbines and related parts.
SOURCE: Dumas Economic Development Corp.
