Where can I find a school or training program specific to renewable energy?
There are a number of degree and certificate programs currently available or being developed. If you are serious about joining the wind energy community, attending specialized schooling will help you fine tune your skills and hopefully lead you to a job.
Programs include:
Degree Programs
- Appalachian State University - Boone, NC
- Columbia Gorge Community College - The Dalles, OR
- Des Moines Area Community College - Various Des Moines area campuses, IA
- Programs serving Wind Energy Production and Manufacturing
- Wind Technician program under development
- Highland Community College - Freeport, IL
- Iowa Lakes Community College - Estherville, IA
- Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago, IL
- James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA
- Integrative Science and Technology Program
- Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative College of Integrated Science and Technology.
- Lake Area Technical Institute - Watertown, SD
- Lakeshore Technical College: Cleveland, WI
- Lane Community College - Eugene, OR
- Mesalands Community College - Tucumcari, NM
- Minnesota West Community & Technical College - Canby, MN
- Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
- Oregon Institute of Technology - Portland, OR
- Texas State Technical College West Texas - West Texas
- Texas Tech University - Lubbock, TX
- University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA
- Wind Power Management, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- University of Massachusetts Amherst - Amherst, MA
- World Wind Energy Institute - Seven research centres on five continents
Certificate and Other Training Programs
- AirStreams
- Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET)
- CERET Renewable Energy Certificates provide students with the theoretical knowledge necessary to begin a career in energy management and renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, and alternative vehicle fuels. Certificate programs are offered by the following institutions:
- Oakland Community College - Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Brevard Community College - The Dalles, OR
- Madison Area Technical College - Madison WI
- University of Wisconsin - Madison WI
- Solar Energy International - Carbondale, CO
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association - Custer, WI
- CERET Renewable Energy Certificates provide students with the theoretical knowledge necessary to begin a career in energy management and renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, and alternative vehicle fuels. Certificate programs are offered by the following institutions:
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College - Custer, WI
- High Plains Technology Center
- Minnesota West Community & Technical College - Canby, MN
- Oklahoma City Community College
- Wayne Technical and Career Center - Newark, NY
- Sauk Valley Community College - Dixon, IL
- Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center - Bettendorf, IA
- Sustainable Energy Education and Training Project provides training for high school and community college instructors.
Programs under Development
- Clinton Community College - Plattsburgh, NY
- Starting a Wind Energy Technology Program.
- Lake Region State College - Devil's Lake, ND
- Developing Wind Energy Technician Program
- Laramie County Community College (LCCC) - Cheyenne, WY
- Developing Wind Energy Technician Program
- Michigan Technical Education Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Kalamazoo, MI
- Currently developing Wind Turbine Technician Academy for their Wind Energy Center.
- Riverlands Community College - Albert Lea, MN
- Developing Wind Turbine Technician diploma
Helpful Resources
Follow the links for additional information about working in the wind industry.
