Nunez Community College’s new Wind Energy Technology program is set to begin admitting students for the Fall 2024 semester after the program passed a Global Wind Organisation audit last week, making Nunez the first college or university in Louisiana to offer a degree program in the wind energy industry.

The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) is recognized worldwide as the top sanctioning body in the wind energy industry. A GWO auditor and two representatives from Energy Innovation, Nunez’s Norwegian partner in creating the Wind Energy Technology curriculum, recently spent a week inspecting Nunez’s facilities before deeming the program fit to proceed.

The go-ahead from GWO means Nunez is ready to begin admitting students to the Wind Energy Technology program starting with the Fall 2024 semester. Students who earn their associate degree and related certificates from Nunez’s program will be qualified to enter the wind energy workforce anywhere in the world. However, Nunez and its local partners expect the wind energy industry to become a major contributor to energy production along the Louisiana coast over the next several years.

“Global Wind Organisation endorsement of our program solidifies our readiness to train Louisiana’s first generation of offshore wind turbine technicians,” said Nunez Dean of Instruction Reggie Poché.
“I am convinced that the first wind turbine to spin in the Gulf of Mexico will lead to the same prosperity for our citizens, and be as transformative to our state and nation, as when the first offshore oil well in the gulf began producing in 1938.

“We are very proud that Nunez will contribute to this energy transition by doing what we do best: Ensuring that Louisiana is provided with a capable, well-trained workforce.”

Nunez Chancellor Dr. Tina Tinney said Nunez partnered with Energy Innovation in establishing the Wind Energy Technology program specifically to position Louisianans as the workforce leaders in wind energy.

“Louisiana is uniquely positioned for success given our existing maritime workforce and culture. The ability for Nunez to be on the forefront of developing a relevant workforce to serve offshore wind is critical to ensure that we have employees certified with globally recognized credentials that make them work ready,” said Dr. Tinney. “Our program is the only one of its kind nationally that was intentionally designed to intersect with our existing maritime industry, and also create a pipeline of diverse employees who will have the opportunity for a career path in offshore wind."

To jumpstart the program, Nunez is offering a full scholarship to the first 20 students to enroll in the associate degree program for Wind Energy Technology. The scholarships are funded by a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Gulf Research Program grant awarded in December 2023. Students can learn more about scholarship requirements by emailing wind@nunez.edu.

Nunez’s Wind Energy Technology facilities were designed and constructed in 2024 in collaboration with Energy Innovation, which signed a partnership agreement with the college in November 2022 and trained and certified Nunez’s instructors at its facility in Egersund, Norway, in November 2023. The current facilities include elevated structures to train for working at heights in anticipation that graduates may find themselves working on wind turbines that are hundreds of feet tall.

Additional infrastructure will be added as the program evolves.

Students will be trained to monitor and maintain electrical and mechanical components of wind turbines. The curriculum also includes emphases on sea survival and first aid, given that most turbines are located in deep waters miles away from the nearest structure.

Registration is currently open for the Summer and Fall 2024 terms at Nunez.edu. Summer classes begin June 3 and Fall classes begin Aug. 20.

About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nunez Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.