St. Lawrence College, Ontario, in conjunction with colleges from Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, has sent 10 instructors to Germany for five weeks of training to support a new network of wind power programs among the colleges. St. Lawrence College and the German wind industry training center - BZEE - formed a partnership in 2005 to help bring the expertise of the German industry to Canada.
"We are excited to work with our partners at BZEE and to begin developing a national standard for Canada," says Don Young, the dean of technology and trades programs at St. Lawrence College. "With four other colleges participating, we are creating a national network of programs that will meet the demands of the industry and will help move us toward a clean, sustainable source of power."
The colleges are seeking support from their provincial governments and the industry for assistance with the cost of equipment for training students in Canada. Programs can begin when the colleges secure funding for equipment. However, notes Young, it is not clear when or if that support would be provided.
The colleges working with St. Lawrence to develop the network of programs include Cegep de la Gaspesie, Gaspe, Quebec; Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, Manitoba; Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge, Alberta; and Northern Lights Community College, Fort St. John, British Columbia.
