Wind students from Clovis Community College climb Mesalands Community College’s turbine at the Wind Center to gain hands-on experience

Wind students from Clovis Community College recently had the opportunity to climb the 1.5 megawatt wind turbine, located adjacent to the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC) at Mesalands Community College. After successfully completing the one-credit course at Mesalands, the students received certification in Tower Rescue Training and gained invaluable training in their chosen field.

Eli Garcia, a wind student from Clovis Community College, describes his first experience climbing a wind turbine at Mesalands Community College.

“The climb at first was a little difficult, but it was well worth the wait for that experience,” Garcia said. “Going up the turbine and looking at everything inside gave me a physical picture of actually what I’ve been studying. It was fun!”

Garcia is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Wind Energy from Clovis Community College. He plans to graduate next year.

Mesalands Community College has been partnering with Clovis Community College on this project for the past four years. Jim Morgan, Director of the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands, explains the significance of partnerships such as these.

“We enjoy working with the students and instructors from Clovis Community College. I personally like to see the excitement on the student’s faces after their first time climbing a wind turbine. We are honored that we have the facilities and a wind turbine on campus, that will make that experience a reality for wind students prior to graduation,” Morgan said. “We work with many different organizations and companies from all over the country to train students to become well-qualified wind technicians, and to advance the future research of wind energy technology.”

Jim Mitchel, Instructor of Industrial Technology in Wind at Clovis Community College says the hands-on experience that his students gain at Mesalands Community College, will add to their college education and beyond.

“I really like that Mesalands Community College and Clovis Community College are working together to make this happen for the students,” Mitchell said. “I think it really helps our students when they go out and apply for a job, that they can say they have climbed before, and have the experience."