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The Solar Ready Vets program has since expanded into the Solar Ready Vets Network. Click here to learn more about the Solar Ready Vets Network.
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy launched a pilot program, Solar Ready Vets^®, that connected our nation’s skilled veterans to the solar energy industry by preparing them for careers as solar photovoltaic (PV) system installers, sales representatives, system inspectors, and other solar-related occupations. In 2017, the pilot ended and Solar Ready Vets became an independent program administered by participating military bases, using a variety of tools and partnerships developed during the pilot phase while it was administered by The Solar Foundation. Altogether, the pilot program graduated 526 students from 35 cohorts in 10 different states across the country.
The Solar Ready Vets pilot program was enabled by the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative, which allows exiting military personnel to pursue civilian job training, employment skills training, apprenticeships, and internships up to six months prior to their separation. The pilot program prepared soon-to-be inactive military personnel to be strong candidates for positions in management, PV installation, sales, and other technical and non-technical positions.
The Solar Ready Vets pilot program was developed based on the specific needs of high-growth solar employers and was tailored to build on the technical skills that veterans have acquired through their service. Each cohort trained approximately 20 active military personnel per class and each class lasted between four to six weeks. Programs included hands-on instruction that took place in a classroom setting, though some cohorts had a hybrid format of online and in-person classes. There were no out-of-pocket costs for participating service members or military bases.
Toward the end of the course, students took the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level Exam to earn the most widely recognized entry-level PV installation credential across the country. After graduation from a Solar Ready Vets pilot cohort, service members interviewed with leading national and regional solar companies for a wide variety of jobs within the industry.
Military bases were selected by DOE, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and military branches, based on the number of exiting military personnel from the installation, the strength of the surrounding solar market, and the training capacity of nearby training institutions. The Solar Ready Vets pilot program was available at the following military installations:
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