Mesalands Announces Graduates of Moriarty Pilot Project
Press release from Mesalands Community College: Mesalands Community College is pleased to announce that eight students from the Estancia Valley have recently completed a short course of customized training in wind energy technology. This pilot project was developed by Mesalands Community College, the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, the New Mexico Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico, and the City of Moriarty, to provide qualified wind energy technicians for this growing industry.
“This was a fast pace and intense program!” John Hail, Jr., Director and Instructor of the Wind Energy Technology Program at Mesalands said. “I believe this course will open up many doors for these students that were unemployed and seeking employment opportunities in an exciting new field.”
The classes took place in Moriarty and in Tucumcari, NM. The last week of classes entailed training at the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC), where students had the opportunity to climb the College’s 1.5 megawatt wind turbine located on campus.
Students involved in this short course learned the basics of electricity, mechanics, hydraulics, and turbine safety in addition to safety climbing and working on an industrial wind turbine. The classes were comprised of the first year’s technical courses and included two climbs of the wind turbine.
The graduates of this course: David “Brooks” Dempsey, Paul Garcia, Jacky Harris, Eric Padilla, Tom Padilla, Sheila Pettingill, Brian Phillips and Joe Torres, all obtained an Occupational Certificate in Basic Wind Energy Technology.
Additional information about Mesalands and NAWRTC can be obtained at 911 South Tenth Street in Tucumcari, or at (575) 461-4413, or on the Web at www.mesalands.edu/wind.