HOME > NEWS & PRESS > NEWS ITEM Owens and Hardin County One Stop form partnershipShare The Ada Herald Owens Community College's Workforce and Community Services and Hardin County One Stop and the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance are entering into a new partnership, which will expand educational opportunities within renewable energy to area residents, by announcing the first-ever Wind Turbine Installation Training Program classes in the Hardin County region, Oct. 19 - Nov. 5. As part of the academic curriculum expansion, Owens and the Hardin County One Stop will offer short-cycle training opportunities for unemployed and dislocated workers through the College's Wind Turbine Installation Training Program. The initial class will occur Monday through Thursday from 2-6 p.m. at the Hardin County Business and Chamber Alliance, which is located at 225 S. Detroit St. in Kenton. "Owens Community College Workforce and Community Services is proud to partner with the Hardin County One Stop and the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance and respond to the short-cycle workforce training needs of the region," said Dr. Michael Bankey, Owens Vice President of Workforce and Community Services. "Clean wind energy is emerging as a viable option from an energy and efficiency standpoint for both commercial business and residential home consumption. Hardin County is on the verge of becoming a leader within the wind energy industry and Owens is poised to assist them in their alternative energy endeavors and provide the region with a competitive edge in today's global economy." Individuals attending Owens' training program will receive instruction within the areas of installation, operation and maintenance of wind turbines for future careers as wind turbine installers. Course content includes training in wind measurement, system terminology and connection to a power grid, among other areas. Installation practices related to installation safety, basics of electricity, interconnection with the utility, siting, battery metering, and load management and energy efficiency are also highlighted. Additionally, the hands-on applications will include the design and installation of the College's new 33-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine, which is located on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. Owens' recently-installed wind turbine is a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator designed specifically for residential and small commercial businesses. In addition to its instructional utilization, the 2.4-kilowatt wind turbine generator is used to convert wind power into electricity for regular operational purposes within the College's Industrial and Engineering Technologies Building. |
