University of Houston System debuts new program to develop clean energy workforce
future of energy
University of Houston-Downtown announced a new Wind Turbine Technician Certificate Program.
UHD’s goal with the new program is to address the global need for workers skilled in servicing, diagnosing, repairing and installing wind turbines and other associated equipment.
The program will allow students to learn at their own pace, and is supported seven days a week by tutorial and technical staff, and offers flexible payment options with a low initial registration fee.
Some courses can be purchased as students work through them.The total cost is $1,750 for the entire program.
The course will be delivered in partnership with George Brown College in Toronto. George Brown College is a leader in distance learning, and one program highlight will be its 3D interactive wind turbine simulator. The wind turbine simulator will have key features like real-time visualization, interactive operation, pre-built lab projects, and Pitch and Yaw Ladder Logic applications, which shows how Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are used to provide automatic control of wind turbines.
“The programs we develop at George Brown College feature robust technical simulation software so we can reach different students, like those looking to diversify their skills and can’t attend full time because of family or work commitments,” Colin Simpson, dean of continuous learning, says in a news release. “Additionally, our partnership with University of Houston-Downtown allows us to extend our reach to help train the U.S. clean energy workforce.”
According to Global Wind Energy Council’s Global Wind Report 2023, over half a million new wind technicians will be needed by 2026 to service the expected capacity increases, as wind generation is expected to more than double by 2030. Texas produces 26 percent of all U.S. wind-sourced electricity.
“Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world, and as the largest wind producer in the United States, there is a growing need for skilled technicians in Texas,” UHD President Loren J. Blanchard adds. “By partnering with George Brown College, we’re able to leverage a unique online program to develop a skilled workforce for the wind energy sector in the state and beyond.”
------
This article originally ran on EnergyCapital.
- University of Houston lab reports breakthrough in cancer-detecting technology ›
- Innovation and new business incubation at the University of Houston’s Technology Bridge is on a roll ›
- New research lab opens in University of Houston's tech transfer facility ›
- University of Houston doubles down on Sugar Land tech campus with $65M building ›
- 3 Houston universities rise to the top in new list of best Texas schools for 2024 ›
- University of Houston plans to build new central campus innovation hub ›
- UH experts join $10M initiative advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing ›
- UH lab using mixed reality to optimize designs for the Moon and Mars ›
- University of Houston, Intel team up to prepare workforce for AI revolution ›
- University of Houston introduces institute to bring business solutions to health care industry ›