The economic boom of clean energy across the Midwest has accelerated the demand for a qualified workforce in a rapidly growing industry.
According to Clean Jobs Midwest, more than 734,000 new jobs have been created across the Midwest since 2022, and that number is expected to grow as projects funded through the federal Inflation Reduction Act begin.
To meet the growing demand for workers to install, maintain, and repair the equipment, community colleges and technical schools, including Iowa Lakes Community College and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), offer technical training programs to supply students with the hands-on experience and essential skills needed to work as renewable energy technicians.
With increased interest in wind energy, companies often visit Iowa Lakes and other technical schools to recruit workers, but it’s not enough, shared Michael Gengler, an assistant professor at Iowa Lakes Community College.
For many rural Iowans, clean energy jobs open a path to a fulfilling career. Gengler said about 90% of their students are from rural areas, usually because they know someone who works in clean energy and can attest to how well it pays.
The Iowa Lakes and DMACC programs use full-scale wind turbines, solar arrays, and climbing rooms to build a student’s confidence and prepare them for the daily tasks and troubleshooting they will perform. DMACC offers a unique opportunity for students to learn on a full-scale 2.3-megawatt wind turbine. Professor Douglas Elrick said students have access to the same type of equipment they’ll work on in the field.
Financial assistance is available for students to attend one- or two-year programs. With most career opportunities centered in rural areas, the Iowa Lakes and DMACC training programs benefit not only the clean energy sector but also the communities that host projects.
For more information, visit DMACC (dmacc.edu) and Iowa Lakes Community College (iowalakes.edu) websites.
Feature photo: Now that’s a classroom with a view! Students in the DMACC renewable energy program (pictured) gain valuable hands-on training and experience at the college's three-acre Energy Park site, which features an 11-story, 200-kilowatt active wind turbine and a 2.3-megawatt wind turbine generator nacelle donated by MidAmerican Energy. The Park is located on the college’s Ankeny campus. Photo courtesy of DMACC.
