This U.S. Department of Energy grant and the wind industry training program to be developed fit perfectly with Oklahoma’s strategy to become a hub of wind industry activity–manufacturing, research, and education, said Commerce secretary Natalie Shirley. The state-of-the-art wind industry safety program will be the latest in an ongoing effort by Commerce, CareerTech, and the State Regents Office to train a new generation of renewable energy workers and create green career pathways for Oklahomans.
While several Oklahoma post-secondary institutions have developed and implemented comprehensive wind turbine technician training programs — offering both two-year degrees and certification — there is a critical need for a centralized curriculum for wind technician safety training. Currently, there are no federal or state standards for safety training and certification of wind turbine and balance-of-plant maintenance technicians. This collaborative project will develop a standardized safety curriculum and a delivery model for wind industry technicians nationwide.
Workforce development in the rapidly growing field of wind energy is critical to its success and future growth, said Phil Berkenbile, state director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. A comprehensive safety program to train and certify those working in the wind energy industry is a vital component. We anticipate this training program to become the standard for not only our state but a national benchmark for wind technician safety.
We can be proud that Oklahoma has been selected to take the lead in developing the national safety standard for wind turbine technicians, said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. This award is an important investment in a promising renewable energy source that will create jobs and a more sustainable future for everyone.
In awarding the grant, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu said wind energy is one of the nation’s most promising renewable energy sources.
By continuing to make investments in renewable energy, we can cut our dependence on foreign oil and invest in a clean energy agenda that creates jobs and puts money back into the pockets of consumers, Chu said.
Commerce expects the state’s emerging wind industry to create 7,000 jobs over the next five years and up to 18,000 jobs within 10 years, with a significant portion of them occurring in Oklahoma’s resilient advanced manufacturing sector.
