Cloud County Community College’s Renewable Energy Technology program has received a $110,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce for development of a wind and solar satellite training program in southeast Kansas.
Cloud County’s wind and solar classes will be offered at the Allen County Rural Regional Technology Center, located near LaHarpe in southeast Kansas.
The Jobs and Innovative Industry Skills Training Grant, administered through the Kansas Department of Commerce, will be matched by Cloud County.
“Cloud County Community College is excited to provide high school students the opportunity to be prepared to enter the wind or solar industry after high school,” said Nancy Zenger-Beneda, vice president for academic affairs at Cloud County. “We’re very appreciative of our partners that are helping make this program possible.”
Last year, EDP Renewables North America presented a $150,000 donation toward the project. The Allen County Economic Development group also contributed $100,000 for the training programs.
Four area high schools currently send students interested in technical education to the Tech Center for training classes. Fort Scott Community College offers Construction Technology, Neosho Community College offers Welding Technology, and Cloud County will begin offering Wind Energy and Solar Energy Technology courses beginning in August 2019. Area graduates can also enroll in any of these classes.
At the Tech Center, students will have the opportunity to enroll in classes that will train students to become employed in the wind and solar energy industries.
