Home/Programs/Solar Ready Vets/For Solar Industry Employers

For Solar Industry Employers

From 2019 to 2025, the Solar Ready Vets Network advanced solar career pathways for service members and veterans. While the Network is no longer active, this page summarizes its resources for employers related to veteran workforce development.

Military veterans are exceptional candidates for a wide range of solar energy careers, with aptitudes and skills such as dynamic leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, technical specialization, and a mission-completion work ethic. The solar industry offers a collaborative and purpose-driven environment that resonates with service members and veterans looking to rise to their next challenge.

From 2019 through October 2025, the Solar Ready Vets Network helped service members and veterans understand and navigate solar career pathways. While the Network is no longer funded, its many resources remain available. We encourage you to read on to explore its resources to support companies in recruiting, hiring, and retaining military talent at all levels and sectors of the solar workforce.

Solar Ready Vets Fellowship

From 2019 to 2025, the Solar Ready Vets Fellowship connected transitioning service members to leadership roles in the solar workforce. While the Network is no longer active, solar employers can continue to recruit through Hiring Our Heroes’s no-cost Corporate and Skills-Based Fellowship programs. Historical information on the fellowship program can be found below. .

Read About the (Legacy) SRV Fellowship Program

Partners and Programs

SkillBridge

The U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program allows service members to pursue career training within 180 days prior to separation, while continuing to receive military compensation and benefits. During its operation, the Solar Ready Vets Network expanded SkillBridge opportunities to connect transitioning service members with solar industry employers. 

Employers are invited to connect with two SkillBridge training partners, who provide continue to provide service members with valuable hands-on training in electrical, construction, and safety skills: 

Airstreams Renewables provides 6-week hands-on technical training to military veterans and transitioning service members on fundamental safety requirements and technical skills relevant to renewable energy, notably: OSHA 10, electrical safety and  troubleshooting, schematic and blueprint reading, mechanical knowledge and experience with hand tools, and climbing and safety training. Trainees are also provided with career and job placement services (at no cost to the hiring employer). For more information on the program, check out this flyer.

Home Builders Institute (HBI) Military Program offers pre-apprenticeship training programs in construction located at 10 of the largest military installations in the nation. Transitioning service members participate in a 12-week training program in the construction trades. During the program, service members spend 75% of their time in hands-on training, earn professional certifications, and receive job placement support (at no cost to the trainee or hiring employer). For more information on the program, check out this informational flyer.

Employer Resources

Strategies for Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining Military Talent: A Guide for Solar Industry Employers

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the Solar Energies Industries Association (SEIA) created a toolkit for employers that explores best practices, strategies and additional resources for recruiting, hiring and retaining military connected talent. Check out the toolkit here.

After the toolkit was published, SEIA went on to develop Success Stories with solar employers who are using strategies outlined in the toolkit. In SunRun’s Success Story, they share that “SunRun has been engaging with SEIA and SkillBridge training programs to support military service members and enhance the company’s workforce diversity and strength. For SunRun, this initiative was not just about filling positions, it was about enriching their company culture with the dedication and exceptional talents of the military-connected community.”

Read more about the strategies employers are using to successfully grow the solar workforce here.

Leveraging Military Veteran Talent Through SkillBridge Training: Recommendations for the Solar Industry

A white paper developed by Solar Energy International and IREC presents SkillBridge as a key strategy for solar employers to attract, develop, and retain qualified veteran talent, and provides model training frameworks aligned with early career roles in: solar installation, operations and maintenance, technical sales, and solar design. Solar employers can implement these training plan frameworks within their SkillBridge programs and adapt to their company’s workforce needs. Check out the report here.

Registered Apprenticeship Toolkit for Clean Energy Employers

Registered Apprenticeships are a great way to develop, scale, and sustain a pipeline of highly qualified talent. Apprenticeships are an effective recruitment tool for veterans (who can receive GI Bill benefits to participate), transitional job seekers, young workers, and other diverse candidates.  

IREC continues to support employers with resources to navigate the registered apprenticeship space. Learn more by reading IREC’s Registered Apprenticeship Toolkit for Clean Energy Employers. Or explore opportunities for no-cost technical assistance to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs through the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network.

Webinar Recordings

Check out webinars from the Solar Ready Vets Network, including webinars from IREC, Hiring our Heroes, and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to learn more about best practices to recruit, hire, and retain military talent: