“These are the jobs of the future”– Michelle Garakian, Office of Economic Development - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
On Thursday, February 26th, 2015, more than 600 job seekers descended on the campus of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to learn more about career opportunities at GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles' First Annual Solar Industry Job Fair. The fair was co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, planned in partnership with Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and the Vernon Central WorkSource Center and supported by a grant from Wells Fargo.
Fifteen green companies and representatives of the IBEW Local 11 attended, hoping to find the right candidates for current open positions within the solar industry. More than 1,000 resumes were collected, and over 90 interviews were secured. Attendees also learned about the latest jobs and trends directly from employer representatives.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recognized GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GLA) as a leader in helping develop the Los Angeles solar workforce and as the premier non-profit solar installer in California. Michelle Garakian, from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, presented Michael Kadish, GLA’s Executive Director, with a special certificate from Mayor Garcetti, honoring GRID Alternatives’ work leading efforts “to help meet the solar industry’s growing need for well-trained candidates and local workforce development initiatives.”
"A strong solar industry in Los Angeles is a crucial part of my vision for building an economy that works for all Angelenos," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. "We have the sunshine and, most importantly, the talent in Los Angeles. I applaud GRID Alternatives for working with Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and other LA schools to provide the hands-on training to grow our solar workforce."
The companies and entities present at the fair included Verengo Solar, SolarCity, Sunrun, Horizon Solar Power, Solectria, CLP Resources, American Solar Power, Pick My Solar, Sungevity, Labor Ready, LA Source Consulting, Vivant Solar, Fortune Energy, IBEW Local 11, Electrical Training Institute, and Gigawatt Inc.
“GRID and their job training partners provide us with a pool of experienced, highly qualified candidates who not only have the technical skills to be successful in the solar industry, but also have a strong belief in the vision of a future powered by the sun," said Deep Patel, CEO of GigaWatt Inc.
Other speakers at the event included President of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Larry Frank, GLA Executive Director Michael Kadish, and Cielo Castro from the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (1st district).
This job fair also marked the official release of GRID Alternatives' “Solar Jobs Guidebook,” which was distributed to all of the Job Fair’s attendees. Conceived by a group of employers and solar educators from GLA’s Workforce Development Committee, the Solar Jobs Guidebook serves as a roadmap for those entering the solar industry in Southern California, laying out the skills and experience needed to advance in a variety of career pathways.
The Job Fair followed on the heels of announcing our RISE initiative, an expanded partnership with SunEdison to build a more inclusive solar workforce. This partnership connects an industry that needs good people with communities that need good jobs. For more information on this dynamic new initiative please visit: http://www.gridalternatives.org/rise
The event would not have been a success without our amazing partners at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, the year-long work done by the members of GLA’s Workforce Development Committee, the Vernon-Central WorkSource Center, the support of both Michelle Garakian and Abigail Marguez of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, and the assistance of volunteers from LEAD YouthBuild, Inc. Finally, we offer a special thank you to Wells Fargo for their support of GRID’s workforce development efforts in Los Angeles and throughout California.
Click here for pictures from the event!