Mitchell Technical College announced today that its Wind Turbine Technology program received a valuable donation of wind turbine equipment from NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to help enhance students’ learning opportunities and provide hands-on training.
“With NextEra Energy Resources’ support, our students will have valuable experiences working on this type of equipment,” said MTC President Mark Wilson. “These types of projects are hard to replicate and fund without industry support. We are very pleased to work with this industry-leading company to help prepare the next generation of highly-qualified wind technicians to join the energy workforce.”
The donation, valued at approximately $75,000, consists of three gearboxes and three wind turbine hubs. This is the second donation in two years from NextEra Energy Resources. Last year, the company donated two wind turbine nacelles. The nacelle houses all the generating components of a wind turbine.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Mitchell Technical College, which operates a highly-respected and effective training program for wind technicians,” said Mark Lennox, NextEra Energy Resources senior project manager. “The equipment we’re providing will help students gain valuable experience in one of the fastest growing jobs in America. We are hopeful this donation will help them progress in their journey to becoming wind technicians.”
“To have access to this kind of equipment is so important to our students,” said MTC Instructor Brian Roberts. “NextEra Energy Resources is a long-time partner and employer of our graduates. We appreciate all they do for our program.”
Today, American wind power supports more than 120,000 jobs. Mitchell Technical College, located in Mitchell, South Dakota, created the Wind Turbine Technology program in 2009. The program teaches students how to meet the workforce challenges of the wind industry and provides a fast track to these high-demand, high-paying jobs.
NextEra Energy Resources’ subsidiaries currently own and operate four wind facilities in South Dakota. An affiliate of the company is currently constructing the Crowned Ridge II Wind projects in Codington, Deuel and Grant counties, which will bring significant economic benefits to the local communities, including hundreds of construction jobs and good paying, full-time operations jobs. Since 2003, NextEra Energy Resources has been generating homegrown, clean electricity in South Dakota and helping fuel the state’s economic growth.