GRID Alternatives and Empowered by Light Launch Solar Workforce Development Program in Puerto Rico with Economic and Social Benefits

~New Job Training Opportunities will Provide Solar Career Pathways and Help Meet the Increased Demand for Clean Renewable Energy.~

Puerto Rico’s goal of having 100% renewable energy by 2050 means the trained solar workforce needs to rapidly grow. According to a informe published by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, it is estimated that reaching Puerto Rico’s goal will lead to nearly 20,000 solar jobs in Puerto Rico by 2030 to keep up with demand–in part, driven by recent grants from the federal government.

GRID Alternatives (GRID) and Empowered by Light’s (EBL) one-year pilot workforce development program is set to launch early next year in Juncos, Puerto Rico. The program seeks to train 60 people during the first year, using GRID’s Formación básica sobre la instalación (IBT) curriculum that consists of three weeks and 120-hours of interactive classroom learning and hands-on solar training labs. Job trainees gain new occupational skill sets, experience with practical solar applications, and opportunities for a new career path.

GRID and EBL plan to collaborate with local partner organizations, like Pathstone, SESA and ACONER to promote the training opportunities and to recruit job trainees from the local community, universities, renewable energy-focused organizations, and associations to include people from diverse backgrounds and those with some of the highest barriers to entry for career pathways. Depending on timing and project availability, trainees and graduates of the program may have the opportunity to participate in EBL and other partner-funded solar installations to gain real-world hands-on experience, build their skills, and strengthen their resumes. The program aims to connect graduating trainees to real jobs which will increase job placement and the overall impact of the IBT program.

“We know first-hand how critical solar energy is to making communities more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change,” said Moira Hanes, Executive Director of Empowered by Light, whose organization has completed 23 projects in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria. “Helping expand and strengthen Puerto Rico’s solar workforce is essential to meeting the increasing solar demand and building resiliency for the island.”

“A training program that builds an inclusive, equitable and diverse solar workforce is an essential part of a just transition to renewable energy for all,” said Jenean Smith, GRID’s Senior Director of International Programs. “Installation Basic Training is a proven pipeline program that provides multiple pathways for job trainees from local communities to enter the solar energy industry while supporting existing training programs in Puerto Rico.”