CA’s Solar Workforce Innovation Collaborative Receives $4M Clean Energy Training Grant
The Solar Workforce Innovation Collaborative, comprised of SolarTech, NOVA Workforce Investment Board, and Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, was awarded $4M from California’s Green Innovative Challenge Grant Program to train Californians for jobs in a wide range of clean and green industries, including renewable energy generation, energy efficiency in buildings, alternative and renewable fuels and vehicles,…
The Solar Workforce Innovation Collaborative, comprised of SolarTech, NOVA Workforce Investment Board, and Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, was awarded $4M from California’s Green Innovative Challenge Grant Program to train Californians for jobs in a wide range of clean and green industries, including renewable energy generation, energy efficiency in buildings, alternative and renewable fuels and vehicles, energy storage, and water efficiency. A total of $19M was awarded.
IREC will support the Collaborative by providing information and expertise on training trends and needs and best practices.
According to Doug Payne, SolarTech’s Executive Director, the Collaborative’s efforts will focus on tighter integration between industry, workforce and skills across the entire solar value chain.
Among the tasks the Collaborative will address over the two-year grant period:
- Training in solar PV technical sales in preparation for NABCEP certification
- Advanced solar PV design and dngineering for large-scale solar PV projects
- Integrating technology and financial analyses for cost-benefit potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies
- OJT training for unemployed electrical workers
- Post-secondary curriculum to prepare students for the green economy
- SolarTech Green Jobs Leadership Summits (2011 and 2012)
Source: California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Press Release
June 29, 2010
