The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) wants to make sure young people have the necessary skills to fill some 28,000 expected new jobs in renewable energy, so it is offering them access to classes in wind energy technologies.

Through its Wind Skillnet Training Programme, the IWEA is offering KidWind courses free of charge to primary and secondary school teachers in an effort to fill a void between government renewable energy policies and education programs in schools.

“To realise the potential of Ireland’s renewable energy, it is crucial that we support our educators in their skills and understanding of Ireland’s cutting edge technology in the wind energy sector,” said IWEA Chief Executive Kenneth Matthews. “We also believe that improving the general understanding of the renewable energy sector, together with its ability to generate jobs, will generate increased interest in maths and science subjects.”

The program aims to give teachers the knowledge and resources necessary to educate their students in renewable energy technologies, especially wind energy. Courses include lessons on blade design and concepts, how generators and motors work, economics behind wind farm construction, and wildlife impact issues. Teachers even learn how to work with students to build a working model turbine in the classroom.

There are currently 176 wind farms operating in Ireland, generating a combined 1,746 MW of power. That’s enough clean energy to supply for the electric needs of over 750,000 average Irish households.

The IWEA promotes the use of wind energy in Ireland through education and government lobbying, soit has a vested interest in making sure young people have the skills necessary to keep pushing the industry forward. These classes are designed to encourage their interest and understanding of wind energy technology in hopes that they follow up their education with a transition into the wind energy field. It would be great if we could see these kinds of classes show up in American schools as well.

[via Renewable Energy Magazine]

Image Credit: Ryan McD/Flickr