Funding Awarded: $100,000

INDUSTRY PARTNERS:

Dakota Wind, Energy Maintenance Service, Outland Renewable Energy,

SMI & Hydraulics

Key Partners:

MN West Community & Technical College, Canby Economic Development Authority, Canby Public Schools, City of Canby, SW MN Workforce Council, Yellow Medicine County  Business Retention and Expansion Initiative

Project Summary:

The goal of the Wind Energy Development Coordinator position is to create awareness about the renewable energy industry, specifically wind energy, as a future educational and career opportunity in an effort to keep the best and brightest students right here in southwestern Minnesota! Another focus of the position is to work with industry to secure equipment donations and promote the sharing of training facilities to grow the Wind Energy Technology program both on the Canby Campus and online. 

Project Outcomes:

• 100% enrollment increase in the Wind Energy Technology programs at Minnesota West Community & Technical College (40 to 84 as of 3/31/2010)

• Two new Wind Energy Technology instructors hired to accommodate increased enrollment

• More than 4,000 youth introduced to/participated in renewable and wind energy information/activities  (reports show over 4,000 contacts.)

• Wind Energy Training Tower installed on the Canby Campus offering real life experiences to students and industry

• Various equipment donations from area wind energy companies to help in student training

Project Description:

Katie Delaney has spent the past year developing relationships with industry partners, students, and faculty about wind energy and wind energy training. Her position was created through a collaboration between Canby High School, Minnesota West Community & Technical College, and local companies including Dakota Wind, Energy Maintenance Services, Outland Renewable Energy, and SMI & Hydraulics.

"I'm the liaison between the high school, the technical college, and the wind industry," Delaney explains. "I expose kids to wind energy, get them on the Canby campus to see the Training Tower & other equipment, and let them know that there are good jobs here in southwest Minnesota. Most of them don't realize that they don't have to go far from home to get a great education in wind energy or renewable energy."

Another key responsibility is to expand the Wind Energy program to better meet the needs of employers and students. Among Delaney's accomplishments was a donation of a tower section that was modified, with the help of local industry, to create the newly installed Wind Energy Training Tower on the Canby Campus.

Minnesota West Renewable Energy Director Duane Carrow described the importance of Delaney's outreach efforts, "The relationships that she has established will benefit the college and the industry for a long time. I would suggest that this type of coordinator position be replicated for other renewable energy programs such as manufacturing or biofuels programs."

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View a video of photos from the inside of the training tower

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE0MNFiPYNQ

 Wind Energy Development Coordinator

The goal of the Wind Energy Development Coordinator position is to create awareness about the renewable energy industry, specifically wind energy, as a future educational and career opportunity in an effort to keep the best and brightest students right here in southwestern Minnesota! To meet this goal, informative presentations and hands-on kits have been given to various High School students throughout the MNREM area, as well as, onsite tours of the Minnesota West Wind Energy Program.

Another focus of the position is to work with industry to secure equipment donations and promote the sharing of training facilities. Our new Wind Energy Training Tower is a perfect example. The Wind Energy Training Tower is a historic project for the Canby Campus and Minnesota West! A one of a kind unit, it offers real life experiences to our students and industry. Combined with our existing 35kW lattice structure turbine, students are now exposed to exactly what they will encounter on the job.
Check our program out online!
http://www.mnwest.edu/program-sites/canby/wind-energy-technology/