When Bryson Pagh, a solar student at Fresno City College, showed up at a job fair for Real Goods Solar two years ago, there was one thing that set him apart from the hundreds of other job seekers: he already had close to 70 hours of hands-on installation experience under his belt through GRID Alternatives. Only about 30 or 40 people got hired, he said. I was fortunate enough to be one of them. I really think that my time with GRID is what helped separate me.
Weve been supporting GRID for five plus years in many ways, said Wells Fargo Central Valley Market President Sandy Raco. And its not just the financial piece of it; were so proud to say we have team members who go out and spend thousands of hours donating their time and energy.It is stories like Brysons that inspired Wells Fargo Bank to support GRID Alternatives with a $100,000 grant for workforce development this year, announced last Saturday in a check presentation during the GRID Alternatives Central Valley Solarthon in Madera. Since 2004, GRID has provided hands-on installation experience to more than 9000 individuals across the state, and created more than 600 paid work opportunities for job trainees through our subcontractor program.
A team of Wells Fargo volunteers was among more than a hundred people who braved 93 degree heat on Saturday to install solar systems for nine low-income families. The crews volunteer roof and ground team leader? Bryson Pagh.
They did a great job, said Bryson. They were really enthusiastic to be up there. I tried to keep my hands off so they could experience it themselves.
Watch a video below of the Wells Fargo volunteers installing solar for the Martinez family: