On the south side of Chicago, students learn to work on Rivian electric pickup trucks and SUVs through a new technician program at Olive-Harvey College. About 150 miles south, students at Danville Area Community College in Illinois are taught to troubleshoot massive wind turbines dozens of meters tall, along with climbing and safety. In Albuquerque, students train on wiring and fixing solar panel installations through Central New Mexico Community College’s electrical trades courses.
He had thought he would become an automotive technician, but learning about opportunities in wind led him to enroll in Danville’s wind energy technician courses. “Turning wrenches and all that stuff, it’s always kind of what I’ve wanted to do. It’s just a broader opportunity,” he said. “It really opens the door for people out here for jobs.” At the same time, the bigger picture for community colleges is that they have been losing students, not unlike the rest of higher education.