The Wind Energy Technology program at Cloud County Community College in Concordia is a perfect example of how community colleges can contribute to the state’s educational and economic goals.

In response to new wind energy projects in the state, Cloud County offered its first courses to train wind turbine technicians two years ago and attracted four students. This fall, the school expects to have 110 students in the program and a waiting list of about 50 more.

The demand for graduates of the program is strong across the country, but it’s likely that many of the students are Kansas residents looking for good jobs that will allow them to stay in the state. With the new wind farms and new transmission lines planned in Kansas, those jobs are almost guaranteed.

This is a wonderful example of a special need that can be met far better by community colleges than by one of the state’s six four-year universities. In a relatively short time, Cloud County could create a program that not only prepares students for good jobs but also directly benefits Kansas economic development efforts.

It’s hard to imagine a better win-win for the state.