Workforce Development
GRID Alternatives’ programs point to the same triple bottom line: People, Planet, Employment: energy cost savings, hands-on installation experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all.
Solar Programs
GRID Alternatives provides no- to very-low-cost solar power for low-income families while providing hands-on installation experience for job seekers and community volunteers. We also offer technical assistance and turnkey installation services to multifamily affordable housing developers, and are working with cooperative, municipal and investor-owned utilities to develop the first community solar projects in the country dedicated to low-income communities.
Workforce Development
Hands-on experience is central to our model, and we want to help turn that experience into meaningful employment opportunities for people in communities we serve. We have several programs and initiatives to provide training and connect employers to job seekers.
Tribal Program
GRID Alternatives partners with tribal communities to help them achieve their clean energy goals while providing financial savings and job training opportunities to improve their members’ quality of life.
International Program
Through our International Program we provide opportunities for individuals and teams to travel with us to Nicaragua or Nepal, gaining a first-hand view of our international work in action while supporting sustainable rural electrification projects
GRID Alternatives provides a “classroom in the field” for job trainees, giving students hands-on experience in the rapidly growing field of solar installation. The expanding solar industry is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise slow labor market. We have several programs and initiatives to provide training and connect employers to job seekers.
Installation Training Programs
Training programs offering volunteers hands-on installation training to develop their skills and increase employment opportunities.
National Women in Solar Initiative
An initiative to bring more women into the solar industry and support their professional growth.
SolarCorps Fellowships
One-year placements at GRID Alternatives that give participants the opportunity to get broad and deep experience in a variety of aspects of the industry.
Solar Futures
A program to provide both classroom and hands-on solar education to K-14 students, with a focus on high school juniors and seniors, giving them with opportunities to learn more about solar power and career pathways in the booming solar industry.
Troops to Solar
An initiative supported by Wells Fargo to connect veterans to solar industry jobs by providing workforce training to U.S. military veterans and active service members across the country.
If you are interested in hiring GRID trainees or learning more about trainings for groups, please contact Erika Symmonds, Director of Workforce Development at esymmonds@gridalternatives.org.
GRID Alternatives is a proud member of the Solar Training Network, a program of The Solar Foundation, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, which connects job seekers, employers, and training providers.