PATHWAY CONNECTION

Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) successfully conducted career exploration workshops for 13 Atlantic and Gloucester Counties students, focusing on the Wind Turbine Technician position. These workshops were held at Atlantic Cape Community College—Worthington Campus in Atlantic City every Monday and Tuesday from March 18, 2024, to April 2, 2024.

This pilot served as the launch of the Exploration for Wind Energy Careers, a Virtual Experience program. Structured as a 12-hour hands-on workshop, the pilot aimed to test a new immersive curriculum focused on offshore wind energy. Adult learners participated in career exploration activities, interactive lessons, and VR simulations, all centered around the role of Wind Turbine Technicians.

Students learned about wind energy generation, the work environment on offshore wind farms, and safety and technical requirements of the profession. The pilot confirmed strong interest among adult learners and demonstrated the effectiveness of combining virtual reality with career exploration. It laid the groundwork for future scaling and replication across New Jersey’s community colleges.