At Highland Community College in Freeport professor Dave Vrtol prepares his first group of students for a career in wind energy. The programs inaugural year seems to be coming at a good time, just as Illinois becomes one of the top five states in terms of wind energy growth.

"Wind technology, just from the mere numbers you can see from across the country, the growth pattern here has been very substantial and will continue to be that way for quite some time." says Vrtol.

The American Wind Energy Association says the stimulus bill has been a major factor driving these higher numbers. Vrtol says advances in turbine technology have given less windy states like Illinois more of an incentive to install wind farms. Highland's Dean of Business and Technology Scott Anderson is hoping his students will fill those jobs.

"We started a year ago with 16 students, we still have 14 of those in place and we brought in 20 new students this fall and we're doing really great. We couldn't be happier with their performance and I'm looking forward to what we're going to be able to produce and send out into the industry down the road." says Anderson.

Anderson is happy to have Vrtol, a former Eco Energy project manager, now working for him. At least one student agrees.

"Dave Vrtol makes it easy. He's hands on, he's seen it from the running of it to the setting up of the wind turbines. He makes it so easy." says Billy Siegner, a first year student in the wind turbine program.

Those interested in registering for Highland's wind turbine technician classes can go to

http://www.highland.edu/academics/new%20academic%20programs%20sections%2008/WindTurbineTechnician.asp

for more information about the program.