Learn from Experienced Instructors with Relevant Work Experience
The Renewable Energy faculty bring a wealth of in depth knowledge to the classroom, from overseeing wind energy construction sites and repairing machinery in industrial settings, all the way up to taking on management roles and leading teams. Their career experience in the wind energy industry provides a deep understanding of different types of systems and allow them to support students as they develop projects utilizing this technology.
Our experienced instructors have energy production work experience, ranging from wind turbine repair and maintenance, wind energy projects, industrial repair and maintenance, manufacturing and fabrication, programmable logic controller (PLC) integration, site safety lead, management, and team leadership. With their real-world work experience firmly under their belts, they've brought an invaluable safety culture into each lesson as well – fostering not only learning but also trust!
Gain Core Electrical, Mechanical, and Hydraulic/Pneumatic Skills
Our Wind Energy Program provides students with core electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic/pneumatic skills which are applicable to many industries, such as advanced manufacturing, material or food processing, and industrial system repair. Future wind energy technicians design and build projects incorporating the technologies used in wind turbines, solar energy, and battery storage systems so that they can gain an in depth understanding of the energy calculations and system basics to build and maintain equipment.
What Makes Northeastern's Renewable Energy Program different?
Northeastern Junior College's Wind Energy Program sets us apart from other colleges in the region. Our hands on labs and experienced faculty offer students unparalleled opportunities to learn crucial skills in wind energy. But we know that higher education is about more than just coursework. Our residence halls offer comfortable, affordable housing for students looking to be part of a vibrant campus community. And we prioritize making education accessible, with affordable tuition and robust financial aid offerings that help students achieve their dreams. Whether you're passionate about renewables or just looking for a great student experience, Northeastern Junior College has something for you.
Pursue Employment in Many Industries
Upon completing the program, students are well qualified for employment in many industries inside and outside of wind turbines. Our students have found success with most of them getting jobs with the owner or operators of a wind power site or other business opportunities within a few weeks of graduation. Employers seek out our students because they are aware of our comprehensive approach and recognize that they're getting the safety culture and technical knowledge they need to be quality technicians.
Fun, Challenging, and Rewarding Courses
At our program, courses are fun, challenging, and rewarding. We focus on hands on skills with renewable energy projects and provide a real-world environment in our lab. Our strong relationship with industry partners allows us to meet regularly to discuss our program and make sure that we're offering course material that is up-to-date with the most relevant industry standards. Our students are drawn to the wind energy industry for its unique challenges and role in improving energy access, and they are extremely likely to step right into their new profession upon completion of the certificates and/or Associate of Applied Science degree.
Degree Types Offered
At Northeastern Junior College, students interested in pursuing a career in Wind Energy Technology have a range of options available to them. Whether you're looking to earn a degree or a certificate, the college has you covered. The Industrial Automation Associate of Applied Science degree includes stackable certificates including the Wind Technician, Industrial Safety, Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Electricity, and Industrial Controls certificates. The associate degree prepares students for careers in industries that range from food processing, material handling, process control, and advanced manufacturing with jobs that range from Quality Control Technician, Industrial Electrician, or PLC Technician.
Students will complete their OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety & Health, Climbing and Rescue, Rigging-Signal Person, and CPR certifications in their first year in the program. Students will become proficient with electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
Opportunities inside and out of energy production.
Northeastern's Renewable Energy program focuses on alternative energy such as wind turbines, solar power and energy storage, but the understanding of the components provides an education that hundreds of millions of workers use in advanced manufacturing facilities nationwide. 40% of graduates of the program are working in the industrial maintenance field. Graduates of the program can almost guarantee employment, this program enjoys a 90%+ placement rate in the industry.
Join us today!
Whether you are interested in scheduling a campus tour, or talking to one of our experienced faculty, connect with us to see if Northeastern's Wind Energy program is a good fit for you. Ranked by PremiumSchools as one of the ten best schools in the nation for Wind Turbine Technicians.
Our approach is simple; put the industry components, operating systems, and tools in the student’s hands and make sure they know how to solve problems. We use industry tooling such as Fluke meters and E-RADs to perform the same jobs that will be performed in the field. We believe that students must be able to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the real world. Our training approach accomplishes two things; it gives the students firsthand knowledge of the equipment they will be using and it teaches them how to safely and efficiently use the equipment. We have a strong safety culture and that is the single most important thing to take away from the program.
Xcel Energy Colorado provides funding to support students starting the Wind & Industrial program. Xcel Energy Colorado funding provides personal protective equipment such as hard hats, Lineman gloves, and insulated hand tools.
Students are required to purchase steel-toe or composite-toe boots, work gloves, and safety glasses. Students are allowed bring their own hard hats if they prefer.
Wind technicians, on average start at $18-$22 an hour. The average work week is 50 hours and with overtime, it will average to $50,000 or more a year. The wind industry is growing and the demand for quality technicians is on the rise. In 2014, Colorado added over 400 wind turbines. The skills taught in the NJC Wind Program aren't just wind specific they will easily apply to any industrial maintenance or electrical profession.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow 44 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,900 openings for wind turbine technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
I am actually interested in what I am learning. I learn something new every day and the teachers are willing to help us take our education wherever we want to go.
