Solar Ready: NY continues commitment with veteran training
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is once again strengthening his commitment to solar with the announcement that the state will participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Ready Vets training program.
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Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation/Wikimedia Commons |
In June, Governor Cuomo announced that from 2011 to 2014, solar grew by more than 300 percent in New York -- twice the national average. The significant increase reflects the mission of Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, which includes the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative. In the first two years of NY-Sun, a total of 316 megawatts (MW) of solar electric was installed or is under contract -- more than the amount installed in the entire prior decade.
Solar Ready Vets provides military personnel stationed at Fort Drum, New York with the technical skills to obtain jobs in the growing solar industry after they transition from active service.
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This is the first Solar Ready Vets training cohort in New York -- and only the eighth offered at military installations in the United States. The inaugural New York-based class under the program will begin on January 11.
"The continued growth of clean, renewable energy in New York is creating greater demand for skilled employees in the solar industry, and this program will help veterans fill those slots," said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which provided support for the program startup costs, including curriculum development and training. "This important program advances Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy by supporting clean energy jobs and accelerating the solar industry in New York State."
In September 2014, the DOE launched the Solar Ready Vets program to prepare veterans for post-military careers as solar installers, sales representatives, system inspectors and other solar-related occupations. The program is aligned with the Department of Defense's SkillBridge initiative, which allows military personnel to obtain job training up to six months prior to their separation from military service.
The Fort Drum program was created through collaboration among the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, U.S. Department of Energy, Fort Drum, SUNY Canton and solar installation companies. Instructors from SUNY Canton will teach five-week classes focusing on technical training in solar skills, including hands-on labs. In addition, the program will facilitate job placement with New York solar PV companies for the trained transitioning military personnel -- nearly 3,600 of whom transition from Fort Drum each year.
"Under Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, solar is growing fast across the state, accelerating the demand for skilled energy professionals to enter the industry," said Richard Kauffman, New York State Chairman of Energy and Finance. "The Solar Ready Vets program at Fort Drum is a great way to provide technical training to military personnel so they can be part of the solar workforce and play an important role in helping New York achieve its 50 percent of electricity to come from renewables target by 2030."
According to the Solar Foundation's Solar Job Census 2014, the solar industry is adding jobs at a rate of more than 20 times faster than the overall economy. Solar employment in New York grew more than 40 percent in 2014. There currently are 359 solar companies in the State, employing more than 7,000 New Yorkers.
"The Solar Ready Vets program will be a win-win for New York providing veterans with much-needed job training while supplying our expanding Upstate solar industry with the top-notch workforce needed to thrive," said Senator Charles E. Schumer. "Our veterans bravely serve our country and it is our duty to provide them with the skills they need to transition into good-paying jobs upon their return home. These jobs will not only equip our vets for working in the green energy economy of the future, but also advance our solar companies as they build this clean energy industry and contribute to the regional economy for years to come."
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