Would you like to connect with a career that has constant demand for your skills?

Wind Energy is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The sharp rise in energy consumption along with the concern about dependency on foreign oil, the high price of gasoline and the increasing interest in sustainable resources have fueled the renewable energy industry, of which wind generation is a growing entity. As the wind energy industry continues to grow the need for employees to service the wind generators and wind turbines will increase. Like many parts of Minnesota, SE Minnesota is fast becoming a major wind generation market. In recent years wind farms are cropping up all over southeastern Minnesota with plans for more.

The Wind Turbine Technician diploma program will offer students a new career path within the Riverland Construction Electrician and Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics Programs. This new option will give students a choice of training to be an entry-level Construction Electrician, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Electrician and/or now as a Wind Turbine Technician. Wind Turbine Technicians play a key role in ensuring quality, safety and service involving the operation and maintenance of wind turbine units, performing mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, as well as repair and preventative maintenance. Work may include basic circuits, electrical motors and their controls, electronic controls, programmable logic controllers and variable frequency drives. Wind Turbine Technicians install and maintain, repair and replace malfunctioning parts and equipment, transmissions and drives, programmable logic controllers and blade maintenance and repair.

A solid background in technical math, computer literacy, problem solving, decision making and troubleshooting abilities, ability to work as a part of a team as well as independently and good reading comprehension are important skills for applicants to this program.

You can look forward to an exceptional learning experience that combines classroom, lab settings and required general education classes.

Required Core Courses (16 credits)