There are plenty of jobs in renewable energy; colleges are helping

By supporting the development of renewable energy sources, we are also supporting innovative efforts at academic institutions and demonstrating our commitment to supporting our state’s future workforce.

Rob Denson
| Guest Columnist

Rob Denson is president of Des Moines Area Community College.

Iowa community colleges play an important role in fueling the economy by educating and developing skilled workers to fill high-demand jobs like clean energy technology.

As part of America’s Clean Energy Week, Des Moines Area Community College proudly celebrates its wind turbine technician, solar energy technician and renewable energy technology programs and the graduates who are building a brighter future.

High school and non-traditional students often consider alternatives to a traditional four-year degree or want to gain skills and a great job on the way to a four-year degree. By choosing a fast-paced, affordable program, students can jumpstart their careers. As demand for more electricity and clean energy sources grows, so does the need for skilled workers to fill wind technician positions, which are among the fastest-growing careers in the country.

Many communities struggle with talent shortages when it comes to filling open positions. Iowa community colleges are uniquely positioned to help address this by getting students into the industry faster. Because of the high demand for renewable energy, wind technician positions are eagerly filled by local talent. The renewable energy industry creates stable, well-paying jobs for students right out of college, joining the 5,500 clean energy workers in Iowa, according to American Clean Power.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently released a study that found widespread employment benefits from wind projects. Employment increases by about 0.4 percent within a 20-mile radius of an operating wind farm, equivalent to 230 jobs over the life of the project. Workers within the same radius of the project experience an income increase of 4 percent, equivalent to $1,270 per year.

Continued clean energy development across Iowa allows this successful momentum to continue, preventing brain drain and allowing Iowans to stay in Iowa. Supporting the expansion of renewable energy simultaneously supports innovative work at academic institutions and demonstrates our commitment to supporting our state’s future workforce.

This American Clean Power Week, I recognize the nation-leading work our state has done and all that we will accomplish as we work toward a brighter future. To celebrate, I invite you to join DMACC at the Iowa State Fair for Power Up Iowa Day on August 13.

Rob Denson is president of Des Moines Area Community College.