August 26, 2014

SITN-Trained Graduates Working in the Solar Industry

Students at St. Philip’s Community College in San Antonio, Texas and a partnering organization with the South Central Regional Training Provider (SC RTP) at Houston Community College, are finding work in the local solar industry.

by Tammu Obey-Monroe
South Central RTP
Houston Community College

Students at St. Philip’s Community College in San Antonio, Texas and a partnering organization with the South Central Regional Training Provider (SC RTP) at Houston Community College, are finding work in the local solar industry. A recent SITN trained graduate in St. Phillip’s power generation and alternative energy AAS program was offered an internship with a well-known national company.  “We’re always happy when students find work in the solar industry,” said Tammu Obey-Monroe, project manager for the SC RTP. “Just a couple of days into his new job, he told his instructor that the training he received intertwined beautifully with the internship training. It better prepared him to be able to sit for the NABCEP Solar PV Certified installer’s exam in August.”

Two other St. Phillips SITN trained students took jobs working with companies that are installing the multiple megawatt solar power plants at the Blue Wing solar farm in and around San Antonio. The first power plant is complete and the next step of the project has begun.  These students will continue to follow this project throughout the installation of the full 400 MW planned.

The SC RTP also offered a six-week online training session from June 25-July 30th taught by IREC Certified Master Trainer Janet Hughes. Five instructors from Louisiana and Texas completed the entire six-week course.