Gov. Heineman Approves Grant for Wind Tower Training Project

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today approved a $100,000 grant to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for a wind tower safety orientation program. Grant funding comes from the Nebraska Worker Training Program, which supports initiatives that promote a highly-skilled, highly-productive workforce in the state.

The project will help make specialized training available to electrical workers on tower rescue, competent climbing skills, working in confined spaces, and the precautions needed in high voltage environments. It was developed by the National Joint Electrical Apprentice and Training Committee, the training arm for IBEW. 

“This project will position our state to have a skilled workforce ready to support to this growing area of clean energy production and economic development in Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “I’m pleased that state resources will help make a quality training program more available to workers in our state. This collaboration will help ensure workers have the skills to do their job safely and return home every day.”

Grant funding will help install a training tower at the IBEW Local #22 facility in Omaha. Only the second of its kind in the nation, the 65 ft. tower will simulate the working conditions of an actual wind tower to train electrical workers and those involved in building and construction of wind towers. It will also be available to provide first responders with certified rescue training at no cost.  

Gary Kelly, Business Manager for IBEW Local 22, said, “The IBEW looks forward to partnering with the State of Nebraska in preparing for the future of green energy. We thank the Worker Training Board for providing us with the funds to expand our state of the art training facility to include a wind tower trainer. With the ability to learn the curriculum in the classroom and now hands-on competent climbing, safety and rescue training through the use of the tower, not only will we meet the needs of the customer, we create good paying and highly skilled careers for many Nebraskans.”

The Nebraska Worker Training Program began in 1994 after legislation passed allowing a portion of employer contributions to the state unemployment insurance trust fund to be directed to a separate training and support fund. Accrued interest is distributed as grants to help workers retrain and compete more effectively at Nebraska firms. The program is managed by Nebraska Workforce Development.