ENID, Okla. — Northern Oklahoma College’s board of regents recently voted in favor of reinstating a degree program that trains students in wind farm maintenance.
At the Feb. 12 meeting, NOC regents approved the wind energy technician degree, a 60 credit hour course where students “will learn basic concepts, skills, and technology for the repair and maintenance of wind turbines utilized for wind power generation,” according to an outline for the associate’s level degree.
NOC has taught the course in the past, but took it off the roster several years ago “due to inactivity,” said Sheri Snyder, vice president for development and community relations. Not enough students were enrolling in the program.
Though the college has decided to bring back the degree, it can’t move forward until Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has a chance to consider the proposed change.
“There’s a procedure that has to occur when you add or change any degree programs at a higher ed institution in Oklahoma,” Snyder said, calling the NOC regents’ vote “the first step to reinstating the program.”
Wind energy production continues to grow in Oklahoma, according to Oklahoma Corporation Commission. There are 44 wind energy facilities in the state, and notices to construct have been filed on 48 more, the commission noted in a January report.
Based on 2018 rankings, the state was the second-largest wind energy producer, had the third-most installed wind capacity, and the fourth highest number of wind turbines, according to the report.
Story by: Mitchell Willetts
