“With the number of US solar jobs more than doubling over the last six years, and the solar industry adding workers at a rate almost 12 times faster than the economy in general, the need for skilled solar workers is high. However, as a relatively new field, training opportunities and employment infrastructure in the solar industry aren't nearly as robust as in other established industries, but a new program could help change that.

A new solar workforce development program, funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative, could help the booming US solar industry to meet the growing demand for qualified workers. The new Solar Training Network, backed by $2.1 million in funding over two years, is intended to enhance and build upon the current training resources available to both potential solar employees and solar employers, and to be an integral part of helping meet President Obama's commitment of training at least 75,000 people for careers in the solar industry by the year 2020.” (Source: Treehugger)

“The Solar Training Network will be guided by a Solar Jobs Strategy Commission consisting of solar industry representatives, workforce development subject matter experts, diversity group leaders, and other key industry stakeholders. The Solar Jobs Strategy Commission will encourage greater collaboration and information exchange between solar employers, training institutions, workforce investment boards, and solar job candidates. By increasing active connections between each of these sectors, the solar industry will improve training programs, provide more hands-on learning opportunities, and cultivate an educated workforce with the specialized training needed to start a new career in solar.
The Solar Training Network builds upon the networks created by the Solar Instructor Training Network (SITN), a program and partnership between DOE and the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education, which began in 2009. The program increased the number of qualified solar instructors at the community college level from just over 50 in 2006 to more than 1,000 today, providing access to more courses in solar energy across the country. It also developed solar training for building and electrical inspectors and created a comprehensive system linking training and credentialing for the solar workforce across residential, commercial, and utility-scale photovoltaic installation activities.

The Solar Instructor Training Network developed a robust local training network across the United States. During its term, the program partnered with more than 400 community colleges, labor training centers, and technical high schools. The Energy Department invested $17.5 million in SITN, which included $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. As a result of these efforts, more than 30,000 students throughout the United States have received some solar training from an SITN-supported educational partner.

The regional training providers within SITN collaborated to develop curricula, identified career pathways, shared labor market data, and resolved issues related to solar training and workforce development. Providers offered multiple resources, including live train-the-trainer workshops and webinars, distance learning courses, and mobile laboratory training modules. They also provided training equipment and tools for instructors. This strong foundation provides the new Solar Training Network with the basis for more advanced training and more active coordination with solar employers.” (Source; US Energy Department)