Danville Area Community College’s Wind Energy Program has received a special gift. Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa had dropped their Wind Energy program, and no longer needed their Amatrol Training System. It is valued at $200,000, but DACC was able to purchase it for $65,000, approved by the DACC Board of Trustees Thursday night.
DACC is the only community college in Illinois with a hands on wind energy program. Instructor Greg Hansbraugh says this will make students even more ready to find solid employment after receiving their Associate’s Degree.
AUDIO: Amatrol is a name brand, they’re a leader in technological training. It’s going to allow our students a lot more trouble shooting skills. So when they get in the field, employers are going to recognize that. They’re going to get promotions faster, they’re going to become team leaders faster. It’s a big boost in their training. Instead of getting it in the field, they going to get it here.
Two of the students getting that training at DACC were at the board meeting: Travis Goodner and Jacob Maskel.
AUDIO: (Travis) I really like the aspect of how the turbine rotates, and all the mechanical stuff that actually goes on in the turbine. (Jacob) What I’m really interested in is the offshore aspect of it. They’re popping up; so much around the country and around the world, offshore wind farms. I’ve always been big on open water, and I think the ability to make them higher up and further out, it would be amazing.
The DACC wind energy program will soon be the Alternative Energy program, with solar energy, and combined training of the two, coming into the curriculum.








