Strait Area Campus to launch wind turbine technician program in 2026
By Corey LeBlanc
PORT HAWKESBURY: With the global wind energy sector experiencing rapid growth – including here in Nova Scotia – the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Strait Area Campus and Nautical Institute is preparing to launch a new program designed to support the province’s clean energy workforce.
Beginning in September 2026, the Strait Area Campus will welcome the first cohort of students to its new one-year Wind Turbine Technician program.
“It is intended to fill a gap in the industry – there is a need for these workers,” Academic Chair for Trades and Technology at the local campus, Lawrence Boyd said in an interview with The Reporter.
The program will consist of three primary components: training in electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, as well as extensive safety instruction. A significant focus will be placed on preparing students for “working at heights,” a core requirement in the wind energy field.
Boyd explained that in developing the curriculum, NSCC consulted with similar programs offered at Holland College in Prince Edward Island and the College of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland and Labrador. The ongoing guidance of an industry-based program advisory committee has also been instrumental in shaping the course content to reflect current and future workforce needs.
The Strait Area Campus was selected as the home for the program in part due to its existing infrastructure and its connection to the Nautical Institute, which provides access to both land-based and marine-focused training components.
“We are perfectly located,” Boyd noted, referencing the growing number of wind energy projects proposed across the province.
He expressed confidence that the program will “attract local people,” emphasizing that “local” encompasses potential students from across Nova Scotia. No previous experience in the field is required, although the program will be physically demanding.
“We will give them the basic training,” Boyd said, while also highlighting that students with electrical or mechanical backgrounds may qualify for advanced standing. These students will still be required to complete safety training in order to meet wind turbine technician certification standards.
According to the program description, wind turbine technicians are expected to “install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain wind turbine systems and components, ensuring wind turbines operate efficiently to produce clean energy.” Students will gain a “unique blend of skills” related to electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems through hands-on training informed by industry expertise.
The program outline emphasizes the physical nature of the role, noting that technicians must be able to “work in confined spaces, climb towers and ladders, work at heights of up to 125 meters, perform physically strenuous activities and work in all weather conditions in a loud, industrial environment.”
In addition to classroom and lab instruction, students will complete a mandatory five-week field placement. These on-the-job training opportunities are typically unpaid but provide valuable real-world experience.
The initial intake will be capped at 15 students, though Boyd indicated that there is capacity to expand enrollment depending on demand.
“Exceptional – there has been a lot of interest,” he said, noting that applications have already begun arriving despite the program still being more than a year from launch.
Prospective students can learn more about the Wind Turbine Technician program and the application process by visiting the program’s launch page at nscc.ca.