Time to rise above the muddling, chaotic news in politics — or worse, confusing or horrifying stories dominating the mainstream news — and take another look into positive, productive activity at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the US Department of Energy. A bright change is coming via Solar Ready Vets, and the Obama administration is guiding it.
As the first Solar Ready class graduates in North Carolina (note that there have been graduates in Utah), take a pause from the political news, breathe, and reflect on how to keep this kind of support continuing for our veterans and our environment.
As part of the SunShot Initiative, this program is part of a comprehensive approach to grow solar power while boosting the economy and protecting the environment — but getting to this nugget of the picture, I’m focusing on the Solar Ready Vets graduates in North Carolina.
From Strata Solar news in Chapel Hill (where the company is based): “Strata Solar has been working with FTCC to review the curriculum and serve as a resource for understanding the jobs pipeline for solar jobs in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.”
I cannot think of a better way for any vet to become assimilated back into the (non-military) culture — supporting and being supported by American companies that focus on energy independence, self-reliance, economic empowerment, and stewardship of our planet. The program resounds with the game-changing renewable world and promotes broader well-being — financially, emotionally, and physically.
From the Strata Solar press release: “Ever since the Solar Ready Vets program announced that Fort Bragg, NC, was on the list of military bases to participate in its pilot program, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) has embraced the opportunity to offer, at no cost, training for those transitioning out of active duty that prepares them for careers in the solar energy industry.”
“Strata Solar has been recruiting from the military communities in the areas it serves for years, finding great value in the caliber of workforce that comes from military training and experience,” said Maria Barker, HR Director at Strata. “It’s such a growing industry, the opportunities for advancement are endless.”
Other highlights from the full news post are here:
- Strata Solar is hosting the graduates on a tour of the 6.5 MW farm in Lumber Bridge, NC, so they can see first-hand what it feels like to be a solar PV installer or inspector.
- The NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is also supporting the initiative, bringing policy leaders together for the graduation to celebrate the success and imminent growth of the program
Solar Ready Vets is currently available at the following military installations:
- Camp Pendleton in California – U.S. Marine Corps
- Fort Carson in Colorado – U.S. Army
- Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia – U.S. Navy
- Hill Air Force Base in Utah – U.S. Air Force
- Fort Drum in New York – U.S. Army
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey – U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy
- Eglin Air Force Base in Florida – U.S. Air Force
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii – U.S. Marine Corps
- Joint Base San Antonio in Texas – U.S. Air Force and Army
- Fort Bragg in North Carolina – U.S. Army Press
And here are some more resources from the DOE’s Sunshot program:
Frequently asked questions about Solar Ready Vets
How to hire veterans in solar energy
Blog Post from February 18, 2016: Solar Ready Vets: Inside the Training
Blog Post from January 6, 2016: Taking Solar Training for Veterans to a New Level in 2016
Blog Post from November 10, 2015: Honoring Our Veterans through Jobs in Solar Energy
Blog Post from June 26, 2015: Training Veterans to Work in the Rapidly Growing Solar Industry
Blog Post from April 27, 2015: Joining Forces: Clean Energy Companies Commit to Hire Veterans
Blog Post from April 6, 2015: Solar Ready Vets: Preparing Our Veterans to Join the Growing Solar Workforce
Press Release from Feb. 13, 2015: Three Military Bases Partner with Energy Department to Train Veterans for Solar Jobs
Blog Post from Feb. 13, 2015: Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative Trains Veterans for Solar Jobs
Blog Post from Nov. 7, 2014: Leveraging Veteran Talent: The Opportunity for the Clean Energy Industry
Press Release from Sept. 18, 2014: White House Highlights New DOE Measures to Advance Renewable Energy Deployment and Increase Energy Efficiency
Blog Post from Sept. 4, 2014: Training Veterans for Careers in Clean Energy
Things can be better, and that’s what Obama’s SunShot Initiative is all about.
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