In a NY State of Mind: Vets Hear Why Solar a Good Career Fit
“Veterans are among the group of most qualified and sought after individuals that clean energy training providers and employers look for,” IREC’s Todd Venetz told some 25 veterans last week at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany.
Todd, IREC’s field coordinator for NYSERDA’s Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Advanced Energy Technologies Workforce Development Program, helped facilitate a program for the veteran’s Vocational Career Network, administered from the medical center.
“The overall physical and mental fortitude of veterans makes them ideal candidates for many of the clean energy jobs that exist within the industry now, and looking forward to tomorrow’s energy challenges,” said Todd, himself a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Todd spoke with a sense of empowerment as he welcomed the group, which included a number of Veterans Administration (VA) staff members. He showed a brief video encouraging the veterans to take control not just of their lives, but their dreams.
The program continued with Conrad Metcalf of the Building Performance Contractors Association (BPCA). BPCA is a NYSERDA training provider. Its efforts have focused on energy efficiency training. Conrad provided information about the EE market, training and careers.
In his work with NYSERDA – the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority – Todd conducts site visits to more than 70 NYSERDA-accredited colleges, universities and certificate-awarding training programs. His work helps identify program needs and new training opportunities that will match skills with today’s and tomorrow’s clean energy jobs.
