Avangrid has opened its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon near many of its operating wind and solar farms.
NTC will serve as a centralised location to train and upskill technicians working across Avangrid’s onshore renewable energy portfolio.
Avangrid chief executive Pedro Azagra said: “It was a pleasure to celebrate the grand opening of the National Training Center today alongside our dedicated Oregon and Washington employees, and I am proud to see this project come to life.
“This new facility will be key to executing on our commitment to accelerating a clean energy transition.
“It will help us bring new wind and solar technicians up to speed quickly and efficiently, and empower the hundreds of technicians currently operating our onshore fleet to become experts in their field.”
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind turbine service technicians will be the fastest growing job through 2032.
With the NTC, Avangrid will be well-positioned to address the growing demand for these highly skilled, clean energy jobs, the developer said.
Avangrid expects to train more than 200 employees each year at the NTC.
Technicians will gain practical and realistic training with the latest wind and solar technologies across all major equipment manufacturers used in Avangrid’s utility-scale projects.
The first intake will begin coursework as soon as this summer.
By using virtual reality and mixed reality, technicians will become familiar with a variety of machines and experience working through challenges in a simulated environment.
A 30-foot tower on site will teach technicians how to handle emergencies while working at heights on a turbine.
Addressing one of the biggest risks in the wind industry, this enables trainees to master proper safety protocols in a safe place before working on a turbine, Avangrid said.
The NTC will also feature a completely intact nacelle, providing the hands-on opportunity for technicians to practice maintenance and troubleshooting on real-world equipment, as well as additional individual components pertaining to a wind farm, solar plant, or high voltage installation.