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Working High in the Sky

The first few times Rose Kelly climbed the 300 foot wind turbine tower she had white knuckles. And it took her several more climbs before she could look down. Now, after three months on the job, it’s old hat.

Kelly is a wind technician for Granite International at the Klondike Wind Farm in Wasco, OR.

“I was so ready to climb,” said Kelly. Columbia Gorge Community College could not get insurance to have students do practice climbs, so Kelly had to convinced herself that she would be fine climbing the tower. “I didn’t want to not be able to do a basic part of my job and what I had been going to school for.”

“You get used to climbing the tower,” said Kelly. There is a ladder inside and everyone is required to wear a harness. “The most you can drop is six to eight inches.” Plus, there are three platforms were people can rest.

Kelly graduates from Columbia Gorge Community College’s Renewable Energy Technology program in June. The college offers both a one year certificate and a two year associate degree program.

She learned about the college’s program through an article in the Dallas newspaper. So, she decided to attend an information session about being a wind technician.

“Being a wind technician appealed to me because I’m a big proponent of renewable energy. I’ve driven a hybrid for five years,” she said. Plus, Kelly was ready for career change. “After managing a book store in Hood River for 21 years, I wanted something that challenged me.” Another big selling point was getting a job close to home with good pay and benefits. Kelly had several job offers before graduating school.

At school, Kelly learned a little of everything from how to take apart gear boxes to safety around the turbine’s blades. The tool class was a godsend to Kelly. “I knew nothing about tools.” The program had a variety of people in it, she said. “There were kids right out of high school and older people, like me.”

Every day Kelly’s job is different and that’s just what she was looking for.
One day Kelly can be climbing up the 300 foot tower to inspect wind turbine blades and the next day she can be helping to rewire the gear box. It all depends upon what needs to be done.

“It’s an adventure. I’m learning something new every day and gaining confidence,” Kelly said. “It’s exciting to be in a field that has less impact on the environment.”

And now she looks down and all around her when she is in the tower. “This fall was gorgeous. One day I saw Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Jefferson.”