By Sandra Romero - Workforce & Volunteer Program Specialist
GRID Alternatives Inland Empire (GRID IE) has partnered with the City of Riverside and Riverside County Workforce Development to provide Riverside residents the opportunity to participate in solar construction internships through the TCC Riverside Grant. These internships are designed to provide hands-on solar installation training over the course of 12 weeks, and to get trainees ready to enter the solar industry.
GRID IE is excited to welcome its first TCC Riverside intern, Edwin Holt!
Edwin previously participated and completed the Virtual Installation Basics Training Program (VIBT) thanks to funding secured from the Center for Employment Opportunity (CEO). For VIBT he committed to 40 hours of online courses that covered topics such as construction safety, electrical basics, array installation and system operations. Edwin excelled and will now put his classroom learning into practice, and join the GRID IE Installation Crew on the roof to install solar for homeowners across the Inland Empire.
Sandra Romero, GRID IE's Workforce & Volunteer Program Specialist was integral in finding Edwin - she asked Edwin if he'd be willing to answer a couple of questions for GRID's newsletter, he agreed and this is what he had to say:
Why are you interested in solar?
“I believe a green state is the way to go. We're having so many fluctuations in the economy and people need a break. Solar energy is going to change a lot of things. I believe it's a great career to get into, it helps the planet and it's the way to go.”
What are you most excited to learn during your internship?
Edwin Holt is a great supporter of the solar energy movement, and wants to jump start his career and help the planet. When he was asked what he was most excited about his internship he said,
“Everything, everything that GRID has to offer. From customer care to the way installation is, to the electrical aspect to it. I’m really excited to learn everything in the industry.”
If you or anyone you know is interested in starting their career in solar, call Sandra at 951-471-7043 or email her at volunteerie@gridalernatives.org to see what job training opportunities are available at GRID Alternatives Inland Empire.
For more information on our VIBT training—click here.
To see our job openings—click here.