GRID IE is celebrating two important milestones this spring: Our five-year anniversary and our 1,000th solar installation. These achievements represent a commitment to the Inland Empire, building relationships with community groups, job training organizations and Native American tribes to bring renewable energy to families in underserved communities.
The success of GRID’s community partnerships over the last five years is clear. GRID IE has invested nearly $20 million in the Inland Empire and saved income qualified homeowners over $30 million in lifetime electric bill savings. Additionally, GRID’s well established job training program has provided instruction to over 1,200 job trainees/volunteers over the last five years.
One job trainee, Francisco “Pancho” Rosas of Palm Springs has been with GRID IE since our early days. “I started volunteering with GRID in early 2012 after working as a driver for a local casino,” Pancho recalled. “I was taking classes at the College of the Desert and an instructor suggested volunteering would help me learn the classroom material. That’s when I got the GRID bug and began going to every install possible.”
Pancho saw the value in GRID’s job training program, learning everything he could about rails, inverters and electric panels. “The Solar Installation Supervisors at GRID really helped me apply the concepts I learned in school,” Pancho said. “They encouraged me to get my team leader status which really boosted my confidence level. Before too long I began working the design side and became a lead installer.”
After completing a three month construction internship with GRID, Pancho accepted a position in the solar industry. “GRID helped me get my career rolling,” he commented. “Volunteering is the fastest way to a job because GRID offers free training, including intern positions and a team leader program. Trust me. If you want to work in solar, job recruiters want experience. You get exposure to every aspect of a solar installation with GRID.”
Pancho, who now manages the solar division for a local contractor, continues to volunteer with GRID even though he works full-time in the industry. He has over 400 volunteer hours, the result of working on 35 solar installations. “I believe in the pay it forward concept,” he said. “My career took off because of the base skills I learned at GRID. Now I work in management designing solar systems, but in my free time I teach others about solar. Believe me, I would not be here without GRID and I want others to experience that same level of success.”
Start your path to a successful career in solar right now! Begin by completing a volunteer application and registering for a volunteer orientation session. Also, meet Pancho and other successful GRID job trainees at our Five-Year Anniversary Celebration on May 19, 2016 from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. The party will be a unique opportunity for to network with other job trainees as well as professionals within the industry.