WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

Farms that grow corn and soybeans still out number wind farms, in Iowa. But, the numbers are growing. Thursday, folks got their first glimpse at an Estherville, Iowa, facility that teaches students about turbine technology.

Three years ago, the nations first Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program, located at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, had one instructor and no equipment. One of the first students even says they spent their first days in class building furniture for their classroom.

But, things have changed a lot over the past three years. The program is now up to 66 students, with four instructors, and very soon a brand new building. "This is a $1.7 million facility expansion to house the student programming that prepares the turbine technician to support the wind industry in Iowa, the rest of the United States and actually around the world," said Dr. Harold Prior, President of Iowa Lakes Community College.

A big chunk of the money is being donated by PPM Energy, which has several projects in Siouxland including the Flying Cloud wind farm near Lake Park, Iowa. Kevin Devlin, Vice President of PPM, says they gave $100,000 because they found out the school was having to turn students away due to lack of space. "The wind industry is growing very rapidly right now," said Devlin. "Some might say almost too fast right now because there is a bit of a skills shortage. What the industry really needs is trained technicians."

Right now, the finishing touches are being put on phases one and two. Phase three will actually enclose this wind turbine for students to learn on, as well as add another very large room to house a blade repair class room. The program started only three years ago with 15 students. But now school officials are hoping that in a few years they could be graduating over 200.

So far, students who have graduated from the Iowa Lakes program have enjoyed 100% job placement after graduation.