Enjoy our latest May "Career Connector", highlighting qualified candidates for employers in the solar industry. Throughout the next three months, we'll be featuring trainees from our workforce development program. These individuals are set to graduate this month after completing GRID’s 12-week Installation Basics Training (IBT) program.
In addition to participating in customer outreach and construction workshops, they have also received CPR and OSHA 10 certifications and will take the NABCEP PV Associate Credential exam. Learn more about hiring our talented trainees by emailing solarworksdc@gridalternatives.org or visiting www.gridalternatives.org/get-training/hire-trainees.
ANDRE GREEN
How did you learn about GRID?
My dad teaches at Phelps HS, he brought a brochure back from home and I looked into it and it was something I was interested in.
What are your strengths as a worker?
I’m a team player. You have to follow directions well and create a good workflow and communicate everything. I think that’s very valuable on the roof. It’s not that hard of a job, but it’s more of a workflow thing. Once you get the workflow down, it’ll go faster.
Do you think it's important to transition to clean energy? If so, why?
Absolutely. It’s going to help the planet in the long run. It’s more efficient. It’s a better use of it. It’s not like you’re ruining the planet burning all these fossil fuels. I’ve always been interested in new ways to do what we’re doing.
DAVID SEARLES
How did you learn about GRID?
I did some research on how solar panels were installed on my house and wanted to know more about the process. In doing research I was intrigued by the classes that I saw and filled out a questionnaire. A few weeks later I heard from them and the rest is history!
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
It's given me an opportunity to have better insight on energy conservation, saving money, and other career paths, like engineering, sales, marketing, public relations, and outreach.
What are your strengths as a worker?
Being a team player and leader, when you're up on the roof is very important, there's nothing between you and the ground but the roof so you have to be very cautious, and work as a team for safety purposes. You have the opportunity to look out for everyone else and make sure we're all on the same accord.
JUSTIN THOMAS
What are your plans for the future and have they changed since GRID's training program?
I’m trying to be in management, like overseeing trainees and instructors. I always wanted to be a manager, period, no matter what I was doing. I think I have the skills to be one.
What is your proudest moment as a trainee?
When I completed my first install. We did the mock roof, that was cool. But actually going to a homeowner’s house and seeing the expression on their face when we finished the job, it was so cool to know that we helped somebody.
Do you think it's important to transition to clean energy? If so, why?
Of course, I think it’s good because, first of all, the more trees they cut down the more oxygen they’re taking. Solar energy will power more residents and the world. They’ll stop cutting down trees and using gas and diesel and stuff like that.
ANTHONY CASTLE
How did you learn about GRID?
I went to a DCIA with one of my cousins. They were having a job fair and I saw the form that was saying Solar Works. That’s when I applied. I kinda knew about solar before, but I wanted to learn more about it.
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
Just the learning process, the learning curves, different workshops, and terminologies -- different formulas, Ohm’s law. Then you have the ground team and the roof team, there are two parts to it. My father was an electrical engineer, so I was already familiar with the electrical side. When I got in GRID, I got to working with the ground team more. I’m more interested in the wiring part of it.
What is your proudest moment as a trainee?
When I got that inverter box up there, like the first or second install. Damon let me freestyle a little bit and I got to drill the holes to level it out, do some of the wiring.
EDDIE KUEHN
What are your plans for the future and have they changed since GRID's training program?
Just to go with the program and try to get a job in the solar industry.
What does your dream job look like?
Being a solar installer -- I’ve had like five installs and another three to go.
Do you think it's important to transition to clean energy? If so, why?
I do think it’s important. It saves people money on their bills and it helps the environment.
JOE COLES
How did you learn about GRID?
I heard about GRID through a co-worker at ACE Construction.
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
GRID is helping me grow. It's giving me the training and certification to help get me to the next level to become a solar installer
What are your strengths as a worker?
I’m a hard worker, proficient, a team player, and reliable
LARRY MCPHERSON
How did you learn about GRID?
I learned about GRID through another program I was a part of because I always wanted to have a career doing hands on. I wanted to be an engineer. My instructor told me about solar and I jumped into it.
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
I joined not knowing anything. I gained a lot of skills. I learned to work on a pitched roof. I learned a lot - basics of an install, certain tools that we use, safety procedures.
What are your strengths as a worker?
One of my biggest strengths is working with my peers. Teamwork and putting my all together to solving an issue on an install.
What are your plans for the future and have they changed since GRID's training program?
I see myself being a PV installer. I was told you can branch off from that and do other things but my main thing is to be a PV installer.
ELIHU KENNEDY
How did you learn about GRID?
I was first introduced to GRID through signing up for the D.C. Summer Youth Employment Program.
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
It’s giving me the skills I need in the residential field, which will help me prepare to go into the commercial side.
What are your strengths as a worker?
I’m attentive to detail and always looking for something to do after a new task is done. I’m always busy.
What is your proudest moment as a trainee?
Doing the wiring for an inverter and the disconnect without needing any help.
DARIUS STEWART
How do you feel your training with GRID is preparing you for your career in solar?
They taught us a lot about solar, more than just installation. I’m pretty confident I could find a job in solar now.
What are your strengths as a worker?
I’m very organized and detail-oriented. I can see different ways to fix problems.
What are your plans for the future and have they changed since GRID's training program?
I plan on becoming a service technician if I can, but I might want to take more time to be an installer first.
Do you think it's important to transition to clean energy? If so, why?
If we went all renewable energy, we’d be saving the planet for generations to come.
GEORGE WILLIAMS
I came to the D.C. Infrastructure Academy building and signed up to learn more information.
How do you feel the training will prepare you in your solar career?
This program has helped me learn the logistics and systems about how to install PV systems. I’ve also learned team-building skills that I believe will translate into a job in the solar industry.
What are your strengths?
I am solutions- and detail-oriented. I’m also self-motivated.
Why is it important to transition to clean energy?
I believe it's important to transition to clean energy because renewable resources are innovative and revolutionary. Our world is getting hotter by the minute and using fossil fuels is harmful.