Part of the workforce development program at GRID Mid-Atlantic is to connect skilled and ready-to-work job trainees to potential employment opportunities in the solar industry. GRID Mid-Atlantic provides hands-on and classroom training in different aspects of the solar industry. Trainees complete racking, roof wiring, and electrical skills workshops and get the full picture of the industry by meeting the clients and participating in the installation process from start to finish.
Steven Donerson and Vernon Davis both successfully completed GRID Mid-Atlantic’s Solar Works DC training program (in partnership with the Department of Environment and Energy and the Department of Employment Services) and have been hired by GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic on the multifamily side. Learn more about hiring our talented trainees by emailing solarworksdc@gridalternatives.
We interviewed Steven and Vernon to see what they had to say about their new positions at GRID Mid-Atlantic.
STEVEN DONERSON
What is your current position in the solar industry?
I’m a multifamily solar installer at GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
How did you get involved with GRID?
I’ve always been interested in solar ever since I learned about Nicolas Tesla. It was a light bulb moment when I realized he was trying to do a lot with renewable energy. Ten years later, I was reading a flyer inside of the mini-market in my neighborhood and that’s how I became aware of GRID in 2017. I went to a couple of job fairs and spoke with a GRID employee and from that point, it led me to believe that I was going to make the right decision in choosing solar as my next career.
What do you like about working in the solar industry?
I love the hours because I’m an early person. I like to rise early and get the day started. Being on the multifamily side, it’s larger in scale than what I was used to with Solar Works DC. But there’s a lot of room for advancement and I ultimately want to become an energy inspector.
How do you feel your training with GRID prepared you for your career in solar?
I felt that it was probably one of the more trainee friendly programs I’ve ever been involved in. GRID took the time to go through their procedures and policies with the trainee in mind. It was in-depth, learning in theory and hands on. The program prepared me to take opportunities in the solar industry.
VERNON DAVIS
What is your name current position in the solar industry?
I’m a multifamily solar installer at GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic.
Tell me a little bit about yourself?
Before I came to GRID I was a maintenance engineer. Being a maintenance engineer got boring and I learned about the Solar Works DC program. I’m about change, I like making changes and I’ve always loved working with my hands and thought this was something I can get into.
Had you thought about working in the solar industry before?
I hadn’t really thought about solar but when I learned about the job training at GRID, I wanted to join. I see the growth potential it has in the city and I wanted to take advantage of this early. Down the road as far as five years from now, I’ve got plans to get into project management.
What do you like about working in the solar industry?
On the single-family side, I like the impact that we have on people. When we leave, they have a big smile on their face knowing we’re going to save them money. It’s all about making a positive difference.
How do you feel your training with GRID prepared you for your career in solar?
I feel they definitely did a good job preparing me in other stuff. What I loved was that it just wasn’t solar training, there was financial planning, there was more preparation in lifelong skills that you’re going to carry outside of this.