The Training Tower will be located adjacent to Energy House and the Regional Administration building. It will be constructed of cross-laminated timbers, an advanced wood technology that is now being promoted by the B.C. government through its Wood First program.
The Training Tower is a key component of the Centre of Excellence for Clean Energy Technology (Energy House) and the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician program. NLC offers the only Wind Turbine program in the province.
The Training Tower will be used by Wind Turbine students and students in certain Workforce Training safety courses such as Confined Space and High Angle Rescue. Construction of a Training Tower was part of the original plans for the Energy House project.
“Access to a Training Tower is imperative for Wind Turbine students to qualify for BZEE certification, the international standard required by most companies around the world,” said Brent Deinstadt, Vice President Corporate Services at NLC. “The Training Tower will be designed to replicate conditions faced by wind turbine technicians when repairing, maintaining, installing or otherwise working on a wind turbine system.”
The College has worked with government and regulatory agencies, including the City of Dawson Creek and NAV Canada, over the past two years to obtain the necessary permits and clearances for the project.
The Training Tower will not include a wind turbine, nor blades or operating mechanical components.
“Northern Lights College is committed to the communities it serves, and we want to ensure that area residents have an opportunity to ask questions about the project. Therefore, we are inviting residents of the City of Dawson Creek and surrounding area to attend a Community Information Session,” said Deinstadt. “The session will include an overview of the plans for the Training Tower, and a question and answer portion so we can listen to your questions and concerns regarding the project.”
The Community Information Session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 6:30-8 pm in the Foyer of the Centre of Excellence for Clean Energy Technology (Energy House) on the Dawson Creek Campus.
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Brad Lyon, Executive Director, Communications and Community Relations
Phone: 250-784-7589 • Cell: 250-219-3073 • email: blyon@nlc.bc.ca