Job growth in the solar industry has been one of its big headlines, naturally side by side the growth in solar capacity. To better match qualified and interested workers with this boat load of jobs, the Solar Training Network launched an online solar career platform. The platform, accessible at SolarTrainingUSA.org, will provide career resources for solar job seekers and connect solar trainers and employers to qualified applicants.
The Solar Foundation is encouraging solar companies and training providers to sign up and create profiles on this newly launched web platform.
The new platform is free to access and includes an interactive map to connect job seekers with trainers and employers where they live. It also gives training providers, employers, and workforce boards a space to highlight events, job fairs, and career openings.
Story behind the network
The Solar Training Network, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative and administered by The Solar Foundation, is helping build a strong and diverse solar workforce in a time of historic job growth. One in 50 new U.S. jobs were in the solar industry in 2016, and solar employment grew 25 percent that year, with a total of more than 260,000 solar workers in the United States, according to The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2016. The Census also found that four out of five solar companies reported it was difficult to find qualified workers.
RELATED: New hyper local solar job data: What U.S. cities saw the biggest increases?
“The Solar Training Network is bridging the gap between supply and demand in the U.S. solar workforce,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director at The Solar Foundation. “Solar employers will use this unique web platform to find well-trained, qualified candidates, and job seekers will gain access to training and employment opportunities.”
“This website allows trainers, students, and solar employers to connect and communicate seamlessly with one another,” said Gerald Bernstein, director of the Advanced Transportation and Renewable Energy Program at City College of San Francisco. “Employment is expanding rapidly, especially in states that don’t already have a large solar workforce. Knowledge of solar training opportunities, financial aid solutions, dedicated solar career resources, and solar job openings will make solar careers obtainable for more people nationwide.”
For solar job seekers, the new platform will improve access to solar training, industry events, financial aid resources, and career opportunities.
For employers, this platform will make it easier to build connections with interested job applicants in their regions, allowing them to search for candidates by location, certifications, and skills.
For trainers, the platform will help expand program enrollment, help improve training curriculum, and create positive and fruitful connections with employers.
— Solar Builder magazine
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.