Blowing in the wind — Justin Rivera, a Wind Energy Technology student at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, sets up a function generator during a recent lab session. (Courtesy photo/TSTC)
Special to the NEWS
HARLINGEN, TX—Driven by a passion for sustainability and a strong job outlook, students, who include Halle Cardenas of Los Fresnos, in the Wind Energy Technology program at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) are training to harness the power of renewable energy to help shape a cleaner tomorrow.
Students in the program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus can look forward to an expanded curriculum in the fall, which includes specialized courses such as fiberglass blade repair, advanced climbing and rescue certification, gearbox maintenance and troubleshooting, and wind energy technology and software applications.
Some students expressed that gaining a solid understanding of wind energy and mastering the hands-on training is a motivating part of preparing for careers as wind turbine service technicians.
Cardenas is studying for a certificate of completion in Wind Energy Technology. She said she believes that this career path will be rewarding.
“I want to help find solutions to the challenges that technicians face when they’re out in the field,” Cardenas said.
Karla Garcia is studying for an associate’s degree in the program. The Brownsville native said she is not a stranger to hard work.
“I’ve enjoyed learning how to control alternating current and direct current circuits,” she said. “I would like to earn an Occupational Safety and Health Administration 40 certification. I’ve been told it’s a certification that’s good to have ready for several jobs.”
Justin Rivera, of Harlingen, is also pursuing the program’s associate degree. He said environmental sustainability weighed heavily on his decision to enroll.
“Environmental sustainability is a growing field with much potential,” Rivera said. “I believe this job is achievable while helping to protect the environment at the same time.”
Ray Longoria, the team lead for TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program in Harlingen, said that a wind turbine technician job can provide a reliable income and strong career growth opportunities.
“It’s a bonus that it’s good for the Earth,” he said.
According to onetonline.org, the need for wind turbine service technicians in Texas is forecasted to increase by 64% from 2022 to 2032. The average annual salary for a technician in the state is $61,790, according to the website.
TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
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