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Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor James Chung, center, helps Steven Vasquez, left, and Shayne Howard, right, troubleshoot during a lab on logic gates Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.

Texas wind energy firms need more technicians. Can they drum up student interest without state support?

The wind industry promises attractive salaries. But a lack of training programs and waning political support make it difficult to find new recruits.


Texas State Technical College students prepare for a class as job seekers attend a job fair Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Abilene.
Left: Recruiters speak to job seekers during the job fair hosted by Texas State Technical College in Abilene. Right: NextEra Wind Site Manager Gus Saunders shakes hands with a job seeker during the job fair.

A race to hire

Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor James Chung gives a lecture on logic gates Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.

Limited job training



Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student Steven Vasquez poses for a photo Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.
First: Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor Russell Benson, left, helps students during a lab on inductors on March 5, 2024, in Sweetwater. Last: Students Shayne Howard, left, and Steven Vasquez work together to troubleshoot a logic gate while assembling a circuit.
RWE Site Lead Justin Shaw poses for a photo Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Roscoe. Shaw has moved his way up as a technician in the wind energy industry through multiple different companies and has seen a shift in culture and educational focus change around him.

Building a dream of wind

Wind turbines are seen Monday, March 4, 2024 outside of Sweetwater.
Left: Discarded blades from wind turbines sit stacked in a field with other scrap on March 4, 2024, in Sweetwater. Right: RWE Site Lead Justin Shaw introduces local students to the idea of a future in the wind industry in the region.
The Mustang Bowl is seen Monday, March 4, 2024 in Sweetwater.

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