Across the Hawkeye State the winds of opportunity and innovation are blowing. In many ways Iowans are harnessing an elemental force of nature to answer critical needs for power in our state.

Kirkwood Community College is pleased to join with our partner community colleges, Iowa university programs and the growing wind power industry in meeting electrical power needs with innovation and timely training. Wind power manufacturers are finding local support and building promising career paths for community college grads in many skill areas. We invite you to explore these new learning opportunities in a variety of associate degree and transfer programs at Kirkwood.

You could find your calling in the rapidly advancing world of wind power technologies at companies such as Clipper Windpower in Cedar Rapids. (As a matter of fact, the Clipper assembly plant is just a couple miles from our main campus on the southwest side.) Another rising industrial partner is Acciona in nearby West Branch, Iowa.

Mariners of centuries past caught the winds and discovered new worlds. In the 21st Century creative minds and exacting science have merged with Iowa’s hard-working citizens to show the way to new energy generation fueled by the breath of our planet. We invite you to find out more.

Kirkwood students in the programs listed below are learning skills that have proven interest in the windpower industry:

Advanced Manufacturing

• Computer Numberical Control (CNC) Machining Technology - A.A.S. degree
• Industrial Maintenance & HVAC Technology - A.A.S. degree
• Welding - A.A.S. degree, certificate

Electronics & Applied Engineering

• CAD/Mechanical Engineering - A.A.S. degree
• Electronic Engineering Technology - A.A.S. degree

Power Mechanics

• Automotive Collision Repair - One-year diploma

Transfer Programs

• Pre-Engineering - A.S. degree

One of the newer employees at Clipper is Tyler Glass. The Cedar Rapids native graduated from Kirkwood in May with a CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology degree. Glass took a tour of the Clipper facilities last year and “thought it would be amazing” to work there.

“My main duties are 3-D modeling and drawing updates for the Liberty turbines,” Glass said. “I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I am helping the world become a better, cleaner place. The potential of wind energy in America and around the world is immense. I’m proud to be part of that.”