Vantage to offer new Green program

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

With alternative energy becoming increasingly more popular – and more important to the local economy, thanks to the number wind turbines being constructed in the area, Vantage Career Center is reflecting the local interest in “green” energy through a new program now in the developmental stages.

Adult Education Director Pete Prichard said Alex Rompilla was recently hired to head the program and is currently developing a curriculum for what is being called the Alternative Energy Academy. Prichard also noted that a goal for the program, which will be offered as part of the school’s Adult Education component, is to begin offering classes in January 2012.

Initially, the academy will provide basic training in a number of area that Prichard said would “provide a career pathway” to those wanting jobs in the alternative energy field. As required by SB 232, the program also has several university partners, including Northwest Sate Community College, Owens State Technical College, Rhodes State University and Wright State University’s Lake Campus.

Prichard said each school has benefits to offer the Vantage alternative energy program, with Owens State already offering a wind turbine repair program. He thinks the new Alternative Energy Academy will also benefit Vantage’s high school students.

The Adult Education director noted that Rompilla, who has a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from Penn State University, as well as extensive background and training in electrical and geothermal disciplines, has the mechanical and electrical experience that is needed to develop a curriculum in such a wide-ranging career field.

Prichard did say students who enroll early on in the program may not receive all the training needed to be a wind turbine technician – since desired qualifications for that job include climbing an 80-meter steel tower on a daily basis, advanced computer skills, the ability to read blueprints, comprehensive writing skills, the training to work around low- and medium voltages, a working knowledge of crane and rigging requirements and a familiarity with maintenance and electronic testing equipment covered in electronics and electrical systems courses — but did note that graduates will have a good general working knowledge of the various alternative energy fields.

“We plan to offer pretty solid training (in alternative energy),” Prichard said, adding that those who reach a certain point in the program will have the option of whether to concentrate on wind or solar energy.
Students will, however, receive “employable skills,” Prichard said, including training in basic electronics, math, and electricity, as well as learn about motor controls, PLCs and other related equipment.

To start, the Alternative Energy Academy plans to provide training in three basic areas:

Utility Scale Windmills — Which would provide training in turbine maintenance, computerized control and monitoring systems, composites and composite repair and date acquisition.

Electrician – Which would provide instruction in wind power generation, solar energy generation, energy audits and basic wiring, both residential and industrial.

HVAC – Which would train students in geothermal, electricity, pipefitting and energy auditing.