Jobs Wind Energy | Solar Power Energy Generation

In just eight weeks, jobs wind energy program graduates from Cerro Coso Community College will be ready to repair turbine wind energy units across the nation. The "Wind Technology Boot Camp," costing participants $1,000, is a great way to break into the exciting field of renewable energy quickly, without other college experience.

It can be a little daunting to performing repair maintenance so high in the air, but for those who can hack it, the pay is between $15 and $20 an hour. Skilled technicians can easily earn $100,000 or more a year maintaining the 30,000 existing wind turbines.

Looking For Better Pay And A Change Of Pace

By 2030, 25% of America’s energy needs may stem from wind power, so it’s a worthy career ambition for those who are just starting out, those who’ve recently been laid off or those who are looking for better pay and a change of pace.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, there are 60,000 Americans enjoying jobs that wind energy has created. With 10,000 or more jobs being added each year, it’s no wonder that the 15 spots at Cerro Coso Community College’s "Wind Technology Boot Camp" course filled up within a few hours.

Small Wind Initiative Training Workshops

The Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina offers "Small Wind Initiative Training Workshops" and there are students who can get their Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology certification from Oakland Community College (Bloomfield Hills, MI), Brevard Community College (The Dalles, OR), Madison Area Technical College (Madison, WI), the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI), Solar Energy International (Carbondale, CO) or the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (Custer, WI).

For more in-depth skill building, degree programs in wind energy alternative power can be found at the Texas Tech University Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, the University of Massachusetts Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the University of Utah Wind Energy Research Program, MIT’s Laboratory for Energy and the Environment and the Illinois Institute of Technology Energy and Sustainability Institute, to name a few. A complete list of schools that offer training can be found at www.windustry.org.

A Shortage Of Workers

The types of jobs wind energy creates will pay well for those who are qualified and willing to learn the new technology. "These aren’t just hot jobs, they’re sizzling jobs," explains Christine Real de Azua, spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association. "We need every type of job candidate," she adds, mentioning that the industry grew 45% last year and faced a shortage of workers.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Mechanical Engineers will grow 11% in the coming years, providing plant wind power salaries that range from $44,790 to $145,600. Similarly, the need for Industrial Machinery Mechanics will grow 9%, offering a median salary of $42,350.

One Of The Largest Source Of New Manufacturing Jobs

Some estimates offer that by 2020, wind power will account for 10% of all electricity generation and will employ more than 1.7 million people. The American Wind Energy Association adds that, "wind and solar energy are likely to furnish one of the largest sources of new manufacturing jobs worldwide."

As of May 2009, the salaries for jobs wind energy has created are rather impressive. At the low end, there are operator trainees and administrative technicians making $28,000, account specialists making $33,000, site managers and accountants making $47,000. In the middle there are managers making $54,000, public affairs specialists making $56,000, electronic engineers making $57,000 and civil engineers making $58,000.

Engineers And Project Managers

At the high end there are electrical engineers starting at $63,000, project managers making $75,000 and senior structural engineers making $75,000. These generators wind power salary estimates comes from Simply Hired and PayScale, two sites where interested applicants may find more information about available jobs.

In a time when so many high-paying jobs have been lost, these jobs renewable energy provides are truly a breath of fresh air.

About the Author:
J K Hellios has written a number of articles on solar power and renewable energy including Solar Powered Homes, Solar Powered Lights, Solar Powered Cars.
Keep a lookout for more articles available on this website soon.

Little Known Wind Power Facts.....

Have you ever opened your electric bill after a particular hot or cold month and been shocked? The price for electricity and fuel continues to rise as the Earth’s fuel sources begin to slowly dwindle. Many experts are now advising people to consider alternative "green" practices for powering their homes.

One of these practices involves the use of wind energy. Using the wind is nothing new, people have been harnessing its power for centuries. And now you can do the same thing for your home. It will require some work and some education but you can do it.

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