Engaging Youth in an Array of Solar Skills

GRID Alternatives Central Coast is doing some amazing work helping local community members gain access to solar energy! We bring together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all. Our latest program, Youth in Solar, aims to engage disadvantaged youth ages 16-21 in our solar installation training program to provide solar education and hands-on experience with the goal being to set them on a path towards a promising future.

Partnering with local continuation high schools and job training groups allows us to identify youth who would most benefit from solar installation training. Youth participants receive a forty-hour packaged training program consisting of: OSHA 10 certification, First Aid/CPR certification, and hands-on experience participating in at least a two-day solar installation on low-income housing. The minimum age to participate is 16 years old to work on ground skills associated with solar installation. Only participants age 18 and older may engage in work on the roof. With California leading the nation in solar installation, employment, and hiring, qualified installers are in high demand. Solar jobs have steadily been increasing over the past 5 years at a rate of over 20% - more than any other segment of the energy industry! And the jobs are projected to continue to increase! On top of that, solar installers are paid an average wage of $24 per hour! There is no better time to engage our youth on a career path to solar than NOW!

In February, GRID Alternatives Central Coast worked with Del Rio Continuation High School to pilot our Youth in Solar 40-hour solar intensive training program. One dedicated participant, Andrew Rogers, loves working with his hands. He learned about our training program through his high school and wanted to get involved. With GRID he has found his niche! He really has enjoyed learning solar installation techniques – it is an “Awesome experience” - in such a “good, fun environment!” He wants to keep volunteering with GRID to see where it takes him. He is also interested in collaborating with our Workforce and Development team to improve the Youth in Solar program and engage more participants. He would love to be “immersed” in solar! Rogers says, “Right now I work at McDonalds. With GRID, I GET to go to work, with McDonalds, I HAVE to go to work. I like getting my hands dirty and doing something to help others at the same time.” Andrew is exploring the possibility of a 3-month spring internship with GRID to gain more experience and move closer to his future goals. And, he likes the power tools!

A HUGE thank you to our Youth in Solar Program partners: Del Rio Continuation High School, Cal Poly Bakari Youth Mentorship Program, GreenSmart, and CET Soledad!

For more information on this and other Workforce Development initiatives, please see our website at www.gridalternatives.org/centralcoast or call our Workforce Development Coordinator at 805-769-9074 or email Michael at moconnell@gridalternatives.org.