We love to bring employment opportunities to the communities we serve! GRID Alternatives North Valley held our 2nd Annual Solar Career Fair that was no cost to participants this month. Participants arrived ready to meet solar company recruiters, receive professional advice on their resumes, build their professional network and receive a professional headshot. The event took place at GRID Workforce partner Greater Sacramento Urban League’s (GSUL) “Sacramento Works America’s Job Center” in the Del Paso Heights neighborhood.

Last month we completed the pilot class of our IBT-200 (Installation Basics Training) program! This program is GRID Alternatives' premiere job-training program for solar installation. GRID's robust IBT-200 program developed from a self-selected IBT program opportunity that allowed individuals to check solar installation skills off for certificates of completion at their own pace. Thanks to a national partnership with Accenture, a global consulting firm, GRID was able to create a more in-depth comprehensive training program through a 5-week, 200-hour internship model.

GRID is committed to being part of the conversation on renewable energy in Sacramento. This month, a few of GRID’s staff members attended 350 Sacramento “Community forum: Fast Track to Carbon Zero” event. Carbon Zero is a commitment to reduce emissions low enough that any remaining emissions can be absorbed by nature. The event focused on working locally and collaboratively to make communities more resilient and environmentally friendly.

It’s spring break season! This year, we’re hosting four college teams here at GRID North Valley through our Solar Spring Break program. During the first week, eight students from Michigan State University’s Alternative Spartan Breaks (ASB) club spent a week with our team in Sacramento. ASB sends students on educational trips within the US and internationally to focus on sustainability, community development, and raising awareness for various social issues.  

Bread, milk, fruit, veggies, beans, cereal…some of the items that may make their way to our grocery lists. For most, selecting these items is fairly accessible. Sacramento County provides many choices for shoppers to gather these items with a variety of stores to shop at, brands to purchase and local farms supplying fresh produce; however, many families still have food insecurities. In Sacramento County, 15.6% (230,210) of residents are food insecure, which is four percent higher than California as a whole.

The GRID team was pleased to participate for the third year in a row in the third annual Yolo County Office of Education STEM for Girls event, a 1-day program designed to inspire girls ages 10-12 in the Yolo County school district to pursue interests in STEM fields, which include topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). GRID was represented at the event by three female staff members from our Operations and Construction departments, who conducted three 45 min workshops on the exciting world of solar power.

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 It’s been 9 months since Chico homeowner Elizabeth Bertrams’ solar electric system was installed by GRID. Bertrams is a science teacher and single mom who was introduced to GRID’s Energy for All program through her mom and her uncle, who had both been solar recipients.  

This month we celebrate the completion of our Inspire Giving project, a program by the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation. Inspire Giving is a charitable fund that seeks to support and grow the spirit of giving in the Capital Region. Our project expanded our employer placement network and provided job readiness programming to our trainees looking to find solar careers - 88% of our trainees from the project found employment.