Fast-Track Your Career in Wind Energy with the Wind Energy & Turbine Technician Diploma
Looking for a quick path into the renewable energy industry? The Wind Energy & Turbine Technician Diploma Program at Iowa Lakes Community College provides a streamlined, hands-on education designed to prepare you for entry-level positions in the growing wind energy sector. In just two terms, you’ll gain the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to start your wind turbine maintenance, repair, and operations career.
With a focus on industry-relevant training, this program equips you with a strong foundation in electrical and mechanical systems, safety procedures, and troubleshooting techniques, all essential for a successful career in wind energy.
Build the Skills Employers Need
- Electrical & Hydraulic Systems: Understand how wind turbines generate and transmit power.
- Preventative Maintenance: Learn how to inspect and maintain turbines to ensure long-term efficiency.
- Workforce Safety: Complete OSHA-required training, fall protection certification, and rescue procedures.
- Hands-On Lab & Field Training: Apply classroom knowledge directly to real-world wind energy projects.
Career Opportunities in Wind Energy
The demand for wind turbine technicians is rapidly growing, and this diploma program can launch you into an exciting career in just two terms. Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Wind Turbine Technician – Install, maintain, and repair wind turbines on land or offshore.
- Wind Farm Technician – Oversee daily operations and ensure turbines are running efficiently.
- Field Service Technician – Travel to different sites to inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain turbines.
With competitive salaries and a strong job outlook, wind energy offers a stable, high-paying career path. For detailed labor market data and wage statistics, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Wind Turbine Technicians.
Find Your It!
Harness your future in wind energy at Iowa Lakes!
Hands-on training with Our On-Campus Wind Turbine
At Iowa Lakes, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom—you’ll train on a full-scale, operational wind turbine located at our Estherville campus. This 1.65-megawatt turbine, standing nearly 300 feet tall, provides real-world experience in:
- Turbine Climbing & Safety Procedures: Learn to safely ascend and perform maintenance at heights.
- Mechanical & Electrical System Troubleshooting: Develop hands-on expertise in diagnosing and repairing wind turbine components.
- Live Data Monitoring & Analysis: Understand how turbines generate power and optimize efficiency.
- Emergency & Rescue Training: Master industry-standard protocols for working in high-risk environments.
With direct access to an operational turbine, Iowa Lakes students graduate with field experience that gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
Program Details
Length
3 terms
Degree
Diploma (37 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Electrical Theory I is an introduction to basic electrical theory and components that make up electrical circuits. Direct Current and Alternating Current will be introduced and basic laws for voltage, current and power relationships will be presented in lecture and laboratory format. Course content will include, but not be limited to basic circuits, electrical components and their applications. Hands-on reinforcement of theory covered during lecture is practiced in lab.
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
MAT 120 – College Algebra
Operation of real and complex numbers; factoring; exponents; quadratic equations; inequalities; matrices; rational functions; logarithmic functions; and graphing or functions .
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score or MAT 110 – Math for Liberal Arts
MAT 127 – College Algebra and Trig
Course combines college algebra and trigonometry. Algebra topics covered include functions and their graphs; solving equations and inequalities; polynomial functions; conic sections; and exponential and logarithmic functions. Trigonometry topics covered are right triangle trigonometry; unit circles; trigonometric functions; graphing; verifying identities; solving trigonometric equations; and applications of trigonometry.
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score or MAT 110, MAT 140, MAT 120 or MAT 121
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
WTT 104 – Introduction to Wind Energy
Introduction to Wind Energy students will be exposed to the many facets of the wind industry. This course will cover the history and development of the wind industry, terminology used in the industry, basic tools and techniques, wind turbine components, the future of the wind industry, and other topics that are appropriate.
WTT 116 – Field Training I
Field Training I is designed to provide students with an understanding of the safety techniques used in the wind industry. Topics will include OSHA 10, First Aid/AED, tower climbing, high angle rescue/evacuation, working with tools at height, basic electrical safety, confined spaces, and basic crane safety.
Choose MAT 743, MAT 120, or MAT 127
Term 2
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
EGT 146 – Basic Hydraulics
This course will introduce students to the basic structure and application of hydraulics. Students will also learn how to read hydraulic schematics and troubleshoot basic hydraulic components.
ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
Electric Theory II consists of instruction that will build upon experience gained in Electric Theory I. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of electrical theory.
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
WTT 136 – Field Training II
Field Training II will introduce a wind turbines construction, maintenance, and operation. Topics will include construction, schematics, components, maintenance, mechanical systems, electrical systems troubleshooting, and operation.
Prerequisites: WTT 116 – Field Training I
Term 3
WTT 934 – Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Internship II
Students will complete job contact experience in their field of choice. A minimum of 288 job contact hours is required by this 4-credit course.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Wind Energy & Turbine Technology Technician Diploma program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems
- Maintain electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems
- Perform evacuations and high angle rescues
- Explain the operation of core systems within a wind turbine
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining a Wind Energy & Turbine Technology diploma from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Special Certifications:
- Impact Access High Angle Rescue
- Snap-on Multimeter Certification
- HyTorc Certification
- Torque Certification
- OSHA 10
- First Aid & AED
- NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Certification
Accreditation:
Received AWEA Seal of Approval
Hands-on training with Our On-Campus Wind Turbine
One of the most unique aspects of the Wind Energy & Turbine Technology program at Iowa Lakes is the full-scale, operational wind turbine located on our Estherville campus. This 1.65-megawatt turbine, standing nearly 300 feet tall, provides students with real-world field training in a controlled learning environment.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
1.5%
Potential Careers
Wind Turbine Service Technician, Wind Energy Operations Manager, Senior Site Manager, Wind Energy Project Manager, Wind Energy Engineer, Blade Repair Technician, Manufacturing Maintenance Mechanic
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$63,377
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$65,380
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Troy Powers Wind Energy Instructor/Coordinator 712-362-6864 | tpowers@iowalakes.edu |