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Sunday, February 01, 2009

There's a growing need for wind farm operators, and there are places in N.M. to learn the trade

By John Fleck
Journal Staff Writer
          Tracy Rascoe cannot turn out wind farm operators fast enough.
        Rascoe, the director of the wind energy training center at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, is a popular guy these days with folks in the wind industry.
        When he visits an industry trade show, he is swarmed by the people responsible for hiring. They need what he has: people trained to staff the growing number of wind farms popping up across the nation.
        "They can't get enough qualified people," Rascoe said.
        In a down job market, Rascoe's field represents a bright spot — so-called "green-collar jobs," where a push for efficiency, conservation and renewable energy is creating a little economic boom around New Mexico.
        Officials from industry, state schools and the nonprofit sector gathered in Santa Fe last month to discuss how to prepare New Mexico workers for the new jobs they say are likely in this fast-growing sector of the state's economy. With both state and federal money likely to be spent on things like renewable energy and building efficiency, along with state and federal tax incentives, green tech is a growth industry.
        "There is going to be a green wave of investment that flows to states and communities," said John Fogarty, director of New Energy Economy, a non-profit that was one of the organizers of the Santa Fe conference.
        A lot of what is needed for green collar jobs is not terribly different from traditional construction work, said John Paulson, one of the owners of 310 Solar, an Albuquerque company that installs solar systems for homes and business.
        Installation of solar water heating systems, for example, is not all that different from work traditionally done by pipefitters and plumbers, Paulson said. And installation of photovoltaic systems requires many of the same skills possessed by electricians. In both cases, the work can be done by the sort of workers who have been idled by the construction slowdown that has swept through the economy of New Mexico and much of the country.
        Albuquerque is also home to a new manufacturing plant scheduled to be completed later this year to make solar power equipment. The company, Schott Solar, has hired nearly half of the workers it needs, says Zane Rakes, head of Schott's Albuquerque operations.
        The employees Schott is hiring are generally those with high-tech manufacturing skills, coming from places like Intel, Rakes said.
        Green-collar New Mexico resources
        Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari
        Two-year program, trains workers on the operation and maintenance of wind turbines. Forty students now enrolled. New class starting fall 2009.
        www.mesalands.edu/wind/
        San Juan Community College, Farmington
        Renewable Energy Program trains students in the design and installation of solar energy equipment. Offers one- and two-year programs, including hands-on training in working with solar electric, and passive water and home heating.
        www.sjc.cc.nm.us/reng
        Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe
        Offers Environmental Technologies certificate program, training in implementing green building codes, along with short continuing education programs in a variety of green technology fields.
        www.sfccnm.edu/sustain
        Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque
        Solar installation, green building.
        www.cnm.edu/
        Associated Builders and Contractors
        Construction apprenticeship program to teach green building techniques.
        www.abcnm.org/