TSTC offers new wind turbine program
HARLINGEN — A new instructional program at Texas State Technical College-Harlingen could supply technicians for future wind farm expansion in South Texas.
TSTC’s wind energy technology program, funded through a $238,678 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, begins today and runs for two semesters, ending in the second week of December.
The grant includes a provision allotting $75,000 in scholarships to qualifying students who enroll in wind turbine courses.
Students who complete the program will earn Level-1 wind turbine technician certifications, which certify demonstration of basic knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics, said Enrique Carrillo, the program’s instructor.
“This program is a replica of the program in Sweetwater, Texas, our sister campus,” he said. “They have a full-blown program with an associate’s degree plan.”
TSTC plans to add more advanced certificates to the program and will eventually offer an associate degree, according to a news release from the college.
“We are working to get Level-2 (certification courses), but we have to walk before we can run,” Carrillo said.
He said the college hopes to add Level-2 certifications by the end of the next spring semester.
A program graduate with a Level-1 certification is well equipped to serve as a turbine field repair technician. But the certificate offers students a better chance to go beyond fieldwork to secure jobs in manufacturing, Carrillo said.
“We’re going to teach the basic principals of hydraulics, show them what a valve does and other hydraulic components,” he said.
The college is currently forming a committee to focus on securing relationships with wind turbine companies.
“Those companies will be part of the committee who will meet on a regular basis to … give us their criteria when looking for a candidate,” Carrillo said. “‘What are you looking for in a candidate so we can teach them?’”
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Gabriel Saldaña is a reporter for the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen.
