At HPTC, we’re proud to be part of these life-changing stories.

Not everyone gets a second chance—but HPTC Wind Energy student Sam Bence did. His story shows how opportunity, hard work, and the proper training can change everything. Read Sam’s full story here:

“A Place That’s Changing Lives—Right Here in Oklahoma

Not everyone gets a second chance. I did.

I grew up in Woodward, Oklahoma, and faced my share of setbacks that made me question my next steps. For a while, I wondered if I’d ever find a way forward. What I needed wasn’t just school or another job. I needed an opportunity, one that would challenge me, give me purpose, and help me believe in myself and my future.

That opportunity came through the wind technician program in my hometown. Although I had several friends who had completed the program, getting in wasn’t automatic. I had to apply, commit, and prove I was ready. But that’s what makes it different. From the start, this program demands ownership. You don’t just show up. You choose to take control of your future.

What makes this program even more remarkable is that it’s happening right here in Oklahoma. I didn’t have to leave home to find my future. The same community that raised me is now helping me build a stable, rewarding career in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. That matters. For me, for my family, and for Woodward.

And it’s proof of something bigger. This industry is often misunderstood and portrayed as something that harms communities, but I see every day how it creates opportunities, supports families, and keeps young people rooted in the communities they love.

I’m grateful for this chance. I am gaining more than an education. I am gaining hope, direction, and a reason to believe in what’s ahead. Programs like this are showing the real story: renewable energy isn’t just about powering communities, homes, and businesses. It’s about powering the people who live in them and the futures they’re working to build.” Sam Bence, HPTC Wind Energy Student