The groups behind the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship, the nation’s first solar apprenticeship registered with the US Dept. of Labor, will host a job fair on December 8, 2022, to celebrate the program.
Credit: Florida Power & Light Company
The apprenticeship was created by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Approved by the Florida Department of Education, the Solar Energy Apprenticeship aims to ensure that Florida continues to produce well-trained, highly qualified solar energy technicians.
“We’ve been working on the Solar Energy Apprenticeship for the past year, and through the hard work of FSEC, FlaSEIA, and a dedicated team of solar contractors, solar companies across the Sunshine State can now take advantage of the registered program in apprenticeship to grow their solar installation workforce,” said Colleen McCann Kettles, solar apprenticeship committee secretary and FSEC director of workforce and business development.
The Solar Energy Apprenticeship consists of 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 296 hours of classroom training over a two-year period.
“This will give Florida contractors access to well-trained solar energy technicians, who can install photovoltaic and solar thermal water heating systems,” said Rick Gilbert, solar apprenticeship committee co-chair and executive vice president of Solar Source.
“The Solar Energy Apprenticeship provides a clear path to Floridians looking to join the growing solar industry and gives Florida contractors confidence that hiring apprentices are well-rounded and capable individuals, people who will be future assets for their companies,” said David Bessette, solar chairman of the apprenticeship committee and president of Energy Technology Services.
The Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship program will begin recruiting additional solar employers interested in becoming part of the program in the coming months.
“For more than four decades, FlaSEIA has advocated for policies and programs that help Florida solar contractors,” said Wendy Parker, executive director of FlaSEIA. “We’re always listening to our members, and the Solar Energy Apprenticeship is the latest program to help our contractors grow and sustain their businesses.”
News item from FlaSEIA
