Wind-tech school looking for a few good veterans

Gemini Energy Services has been awarded a $200,000 Workforce Development grant from DOE to create a tailored training curriculum for military veterans that will translate their military skill set into a technical career in the wind industry. Orion International, parent firm to the service company, has committed an additional $154,000 to the grant award for training, tools, and equipment costs, and will oversee the continuation of the program once the grant funding has been exhausted.

“Veterans are ideally suited for the wind industry due to their leadership experience, technical skill, and proven performance under difficult of situations. Unfortunately, a lack of wind-specific training presents a barrier to entry,” says Orion International President Mike Starich. “We are pleased to have been awarded this grant by the DOE, which will let us develop an industry leading military-specific training curriculum to eliminate this barrier.”

The program will create an intensive multi-phase training curriculum, combining OSHA, industry-specific, and OEM training segments, as well as on-the-job practical work experience. Participants will be hired as employees of Gemini Energy Services, and will be supplied with all tools and equipment necessary to begin their career as Wind Technicians.

“The first class will start in the fourth quarter with about ten students,” says Gemini Director of Operations James Haley. “They’ll get about a week in a traditional classroom setting and on-the-ground safety training. The following three weeks will be up-tower training, and lastly partnering with OEMs on specific equipment.”

Upon program completion, the veterans will be fully trained and qualified wind technicians, with immediate career opportunities in the wind industry. They will have the option to continue their employment with Gemini Energy Services as contract service technicians, or use Orion’s military career-placement services to seek permanent employment within the wind industry.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to create a world-class training and employment program for Veterans in the Wind Industry, at no cost to them. It is an added bonus that we will not merely be training these Veterans, but will provide career placement as well, in turn increasing the level of expertise and professionalism within the Wind Industry as a whole. WPE