Renewable Energy: Building a Skilled Workforce for Solar Solutions

Organization: Adams County Workforce & Business Center

Grant Round: Workforce Innovation II

Program’s Objectives: The Photo Voltaic Solar Production training takes place in the computer lab at the Adams County Workforce & Business Center. It is a self-paced program where clients watch and listen to seven modules on DVD, studying and then testing after each module. After clients successfully pass all seven modules and tests, they receive a certificate of completion. This certification positions them to compete in a growing industry where employer partners have agreed to accept the certification and interview graduates for full-time positions as assemblers, technicians and technician assistants, starting at $10 - $20 per hour depending on experience.

Individuals Served: The training on this Grant Project began in late January 2009. To date there have been 181 individuals trained.

Success Story: ACWBC was able to partner with iCAST and provide a five day, 40 hour solar installation training for clients who had successfully completed the ACWBC computer based training.

Quote: “I have never been involved in a project that has precipitated so much excitement in our Workforce System customers. They all are so appreciative of the WIRED program because it has given them hope in the current economic times. While jobs are not presently plentiful in the renewable energy/green industry, we have great prospects that this will turn around shortly. The ACWBC is leading a support group for program participants to help provide them with as much assistance as we can.”
-- Judith Richendifer, Special Projects Manager, Adams County Workforce & Business Center

Collaborators: Agnes Talamantez Carroll & Associates, B & H Industries, Ascent Solar, AVA Solar, Prime Star Solar, DenverWorks, Workforce Boulder County, Metro Denver Workforce Board, Colorado Department of Corrections, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment, and iCAST.