Any person interested in the renewable and sustainable energy vocational program provided at Altona's W.C. Miller was invited to the Millenium Exhibition Center Thursday to hear from industry experts and experience hands on activities.

Barry Ireland of Winkler's Kelso Energy addressed attendees about building and selling wind turbines, with students later participating in a windmill building contest. The students also heard from Bio Mass Industry leader and Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association.

Gavin Faurschaou Sustainable Energy Vocational Instructor for W.C. Miller says the program differs from other vocational programs in the area.

Sustainable energy is an emerging industry sector in Manitoba. The St. Joseph’s Wind Farm is an obvious example of sustainable energy use in our region. Manitoba provides sustainable energy resources on a residential and commercial-scale for systems like ground source heat pump systems, biomass heating, and hybrid vehicles.

"The kind of students that would do well in this program are students with ideas, and are willing to take and run with them," said Faurschau.

Faurschau said in the future he hopes the province will continue to guide the industry by setting up standards that can be followed leading into the future.