Job Training

The counties that the Rosebud Sioux reservation encompasses are among the poorest in the nation, with unemployment rates as high as 83 percent, and as much as three quarters of the employed population still living under the poverty line. Winter is always the worst, with frigid temperatures, ice and snow limiting already-scarce work opportunities, and sending electricity bills skyrocketing. This year, though, a beacon of hope for some relief is taking shape in the form of a solar array on the home of tribal member Karen Spotted Tail.

The Solar Job Fair, held in partnership with PG&E and SunEdison, brought 16 local solar companies to the Manchester Center, seeking resumes and job-seeker information in order to fill an estimated 180 positions, including solar installers, marketers and sales representatives.

We partnered up with SEIA to host the first ever job fair at Solar Power International, one of the world's largest solar conferences and trade shows, to connect our volunteers to hiring employers. With more than 30 employers and 400 job seekers, the day was a huge success!

On a rainy evening in Sacramento, California, the waning rays from the sunset landed on a lively discussion taking place inside the warm and embracing, Shine Café. The topic of discussion was women on the rise – a conversation around encouraging the next generation of women leaders in the solar industry.

How does GRID IE kick-start the school year? With Solar Futures...

During a cold November winters day in 2014, William began his journey with GRID Alternatives as a Proteus student in the Central Valley.

We are teaming up with Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to provide a dedicated space for job seekers and solar companies to connect at Solar Power International, the largest solar conference in North America!

The GRID Mid-Atlantic office would like to give a warm welcome to James Brown and Aaron Lovett! Since May 2015, they have been contributing to GRID as DCSEU workforce development interns, but Aaron and James will now be working with the Mid-Atlantic team full time through our SolarCorps fellowship!

Unlike other teens, who might prefer to spend their Saturday mornings sleeping, a group of 12 Tulare County High School students used the knowledge they learned at the SunPower Solar Science Academy to join GRID Alternatives to help install a 3kW system on the roof of the Ceja family’s home in Porterville, California.