New England Institute of Technology, EDP Renewables Announce Plan to Train New Wind Farm Workers
East Greenwich, RI – Steven H. Kitchin, Vice President of Corporate Education and Training at New England Institute of Technology (NEIT), announced that the University will collaborate with EDP Renewables North America (EDPR) and its planned Number Nine Wind Farm to develop and train workers with the knowledge and technical skills required for employment in the wind farm industry. EDPR is a global leader in the renewable energy industry that develops, constructs, owns, and operates wind farms and solar parks.
Number Nine Wind Farm would be located in Aroostook County, Maine, and will provide clean, zero-emissions electricity to Rhode Island customers at a low, fixed price if selected by National Grid in the upcoming procurement of renewable energy initiated by the State of Rhode Island.
Number Nine Wind Farm would be the largest operating on-shore wind farm in New England and will require a highly skilled workforce to construct and operate the site. NEIT’s mission of preparing its graduates with the technical skills needed to be successful in the ever-changing labor market fits perfectly with the needs of growing and successful renewable energy owners and operators like EDPR. New England Tech faculty are experts in their respective fields, and the University offers relevant coursework and training in its Associate in Science degree program in Electrical Technology with Renewable Energy. NEIT’s degree program can afford Rhode Island workers and new, potential EDPR employees the opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge and technical skills used in the fast-growing renewable energy industry.
“New England Institute of Technology is proud to collaborate with industry leaders such as EDP Renewables,” stated Kitchin. “NEIT faculty will deliver the technical expertise required for employment in the renewable energy industry to EDPR’s new employees. This relationship will provide benefits to both the Rhode Island economy and the workers of the State.”
“EDPR is pleased to partner with NEIT, a leading provider of education and training to the workers of Rhode Island and New England,” said Ryan Brown, EDPR Executive Vice President – Eastern Region & Canada. “Wind turbine technician and solar panel installer are the two fastest growing occupations in the U.S., and EDPR is happy to create those jobs and help support high-quality training for people aspiring to work in the renewable energy industry. This partnership will perfectly complement the boost that Number Nine Wind Farm’s low-priced, clean energy will provide to Rhode Island if selected in the upcoming procurement.”