The cost of solar electricity continues to decrease, and it will become among the most affordable sources of electricity in 2030–and the market for solar jobs will continue to expand. The year 2014 saw just one of each 78 jobs created in the U.S. was solar-powered.
The sector’s rapid growth must recruit competent workers to keep up with the demand. This is why the SunShot Initiative recently launched an opportunity for SunShot Training and Education Professionals (STEP) financing opportunity. STEP will fill in the gaps in solar installation training and energy education. This will include establishing an initiative called the Solar Ready Vets program that connects veterans transitioning to solar job training and the businesses hiring.
Solar Ready Vets launched as an experimental program in January 2015 at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. We talked with Logan Rozanski, a Marine who was among the first participants to be trained when transitioning out of military service and into civilian life. Lance Corporal, who retired and is now in t, works as an associate remote operations control center manager.
“The entire course of study was invaluable,” Rozanski wrote. “The course provided an enlightening course of study in many different fields of industry, such as installation, design of systems and mechanics, as well electrical theory. Solar Ready Vets is more than a mere course of technical and thorough training. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate the congruity between the abilities of military personnel and the competencies sought by employers.”
When Rozanski first learned about solar-ready Vets through the Marine Corps Community Services office, he knew it was an ideal chance to be involved in a growing field when his time in the military was ending. The program taught me the necessary skills to be successful in the market for jobs in general.
“While I am confident in my capabilities but I am certain that I would not be able to land my current position without the information I acquired through Solar Ready Vets. Being able to demonstrate my new expertise in face-to-face interviews with five recruiters was a huge benefit.”
Because of those interviews, Rozanski was able to land his current position at SunPower. With the rate at which this industry gains jobs, he urges soldiers nearing their discharge date to benefit from the program if it comes to their military installations, even if they do not have experience in the field.
“There are no reasons to force veterans to be restricted in their capabilities or their understanding of their current skills. Solar Ready Vets provides a way to enter a rapidly growing profession that has shown no indication of slowing. This program is a great illustration of a broth that will not be spoilt by cooking with too many cooks.”