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Colleges team up to offer degree in wind energy technology
Cloud County Community College (CCCC), Concordia, Kan., in partnership with Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC), Manhattan, Kan., is the only college in Kansas to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in wind energy technology. This two-year educational program will produce a qualified workforce to serve the emerging wind industry throughout Kansas and the Midwest. Graduates of the program will possess the necessary skills to secure positions with a modern commercial wind farm operation or an industry career related to the production and utilization of wind energy. Kansas ranks third in the United States in potential wind energy. CCCC was awarded a $102,750 Innovative Technology grant from the Kansas Board of Regents to assist the development of its wind program. The program also received a Regents Innovative Technology program grant and a local match of $140,000 from Horizon Wind Energy, LLC, Houston, Texas. Other funding involves a post-secondary Carl Perkins federal grant in partnership with MATC for $100,000 to be used for new equipment. Former Bennington, Kan., High School Instructor Bruce Graham accepted a teaching position in the summer of 2007 to head CCCC's Wind Energy Technology program. Graham, who earned a Masters of Science Degree from Fort Hays State University, participated in an internship at a commercial wind farm near Spearville, Kan., last summer. In early November, he attended a Bergey WindPower training workshop in Norman, Okla., where participants constructed a residential-size EXCEL Kw Bergey wind turbine. "There is a very large demand for people in the wind industry," Graham said. "Job opportunities are growing at 25 percent a year." Horizon Wind Energy plans to start construction in March, 2008, of a 200 megawatt wind farm eight miles south of the CCCC Concordia campus. "This plans to be the largest wind farm in Kansas with a possible increase to 400 megawatts," Graham said. The Horizon wind turbines will be three megawatt Vestas machines. TradeWind Energy is currently building a wind farm fewer than 80 miles from Concordia or about 25 miles west of Salina. "These are some of the reasons I believe the wind industry will continue to grow in our area," Graham said. "It's a great career choice for interested people." Students meeting the college admissions standards can be admitted and can complete all required program coursework with CCCC and MATC. A second option is to enter the program with a technical diploma in lineman training, electrical technology or as a Journeyman Electrician to finish the remaining coursework for an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. For more information, call 800-729-5101, ext. 256, or visit www.cloud.edu. 12/10/07 Date: 12/7/07
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