Hawkeye Community College starts green tech certification

In response to the increase for needs in green technology, Hawkeye Community College custom designed a two year green technician certification program integrating various aspects of green technology including wind energy, solar energy, HVAC and geothermal to name a few.

The new program was approved in the spring of 2011, and then implemented with one satellite program in Tama County in partnership with the North Tama Community School District industrial science classroom. The first class had 15 students enrolled. Remind me – what are the EDIES.

HOW WE DID IT:

Last spring we presented the idea of a Green Tech class to all the high school students. We thought we would get maybe 4-5 students to sign up. We were thrilled when 15 did.

HOW WE GOT THE IDEA:

With the prospect of the Salt Creek wind farm going in near Traer, I presented the idea of a wind energy technician class to Hawkeye Community College. They were developing their own program then and were very interested in the off-campus training site.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE:

We had hoped that Hawkeye Community College would rent or build a building here in Traer. But due to the down turn in the economy, funding wasn't available to do this.

HOW WE OVERCAME IT:

We used a class room at the high school and used a science teacher and myself as instructors.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:

Alternative energy is the .com of the future. Wind should play an important part of Tama County's future.

WHAT IS NEXT:

Hopefully start an evening class for adults and offer the entire program here in Traer.

For more information about Hawkeye Community College, go to www.hawkeyecollege.edu.

The Tama County Economic Development Commission recognizes these progressive projects through its annual EDIE Awards, presented in eight fields: new business formation, business expansion, development financing, real estate development, marketing/attraction, community development, workforce & education development, and strategic partnerships.

Three projects in each field are featured throughout a multi-month, multi-media campaign starting in January and building up for 8 weeks.

All Tama County Economic Development partners are then invited to vote for a winner in each category which is ultimately presented at the annual Tama County Economic Summit on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:45 p.m. at the Reinig Center in Toledo, Iowa. Contact joanne@tamacountyiowa.org or call 641-484-3108 for reservations.

Since 2000, Tama County Economic Development's unique structure and partnerships have produced an increasingly resilient economy. Today the Commission comprise of 12 communities, Tama County, 83 private-sector companies, and 400 volunteers supporting 20,000 stakeholders in exploring, connecting & adding value to drive long-term prosperity.