Martinsville’s New College Institute installed a 25-foot tower for students training to work in the wind energy industry. Photo courtesy New College Institute
New College Institute wants to take the lead in building the state’s wind energy workforce.
In January, the Martinsville higher education center became the first site in Virginia to offer wind technician training courses, certified by the Global Wind Organisation, a Danish nonprofit that sets international minimum standards for safety and technical training for wind turbine workers. Following a successful audit, the school is set to receive certification, says Karen Jackson, NCI’s interim executive director.
Currently, there are 15 training centers certified to offer GWO courses in the United States, says Ralph Salvage, head of communications for GWO. The organization hopes to have 32 U.S. sites certified by the end of 2021.
