Mesalands offering OSHA training

Mesalands Community College is the only area institution offering an

Occupational Certificate in Basic Wind Energy Technology this summer.

This short program starts May 6 and will end Aug. 16, with federal financial aid available to those who qualify.

This program was developed to give students a selection of courses to enhance their professional opportunities in the wind industry.

Students in this certificate program will receive Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10

(OSHA) training certification and Tower Rescue training certification. The Tower Rescue Training certification provides students with the required skills to safely rescue a tower worker considering the probable injuries sustained.

"To complement the training of a wind energy technician's skill-set, the College has added OSHA 10 and Tower Rescue Training to this one-semester program," said Jim Morgan, Director of the North American Wind Research and Training Center. "The training to receive these certifications is conducted at our Wind Center and taught by our instructors. We believe this type of training is critical to the safety of our students, as they prepare for future careers in the wind industry."

Students in this program will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the College's state-of-the-art Wind Center facilities.

Adjacent to the Wind Center is the College's 1.5 megawatt wind turbine. Students will take part in weekly climbs to gain the necessary hands-on training for a future career as a wind technician. A climb certificate will be awarded at the end of the semester for all students that complete all required turbine climbs.

The first three weeks of class may be taken via the Internet for students that are unable to be on campus until after the May 6 start date. The first three weeks will also be offered live on campus covering the same material.

For more information, visit http://www.mesalands.edu/wind or call (575) 461-4413, ext. 156, or toll-free at (800) 261-4877.