Apprenticeships in the Solar Industry
highlights
The solar industry is growing rapidly, and we need an expanded skilled workforce to keep pace with this growth. SEIA is working to create and facilitate the development of tools, resources, and networks that benefit our member companies, partner organizations, and solar industry workers. Apprenticeships are a time-tested and powerful tool for workforce development. SEIA developed this page as resource for solar employers looking to explore, develop, or participate in registered apprenticeship programs.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are paid jobs that prepare workers for careers while meeting the needs of businesses for a highly skilled workforce.
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Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeships under the Inflation Reduction Act
Get information on the IRA’s Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Final Rules
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Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network
SEIA is a key partner in Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network – a U.S. Department of Labor funded partnership to support apprenticeships through no cost technical assistance & financial support to companies looking to develop, register, join, or expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. To get started, please visit our partner Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s (IREC) webpage: Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, and click on Sign up Now. No cost assistance is open to SEIA members and non-members.
get involved
Join SEIA’s IRA Apprenticeship Task Force
Join this SEIA Member only group (Watt level & above) seeking to identify areas of collaboration around registered apprenticeships and develop tools/resources to assist members in securing tax credits and centering quality, safe apprentice experiences. This group holds virtual monthly meetings that include speakers and peer-experience sharing. Fill out this brief form for questions or to join this group.
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship or State Apprenticeship Agency Contacts
Companies may reach out to the Apprenticeship Training Representatives in their state for support from the U.S. Apprenticeship System. On this Apprenticeship System Map below from Apprenticeship.gov, you may click on the state of your project/company to find the U.S. Dept. of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA) contact for that state or the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) contact.
Some joint and non-joint apprenticeship group program sponsors (but not all programs) are listed on the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Apprenticeship site: Partner Finder | Apprenticeship.gov. This tool can be a good place to start when looking for potential partnership, however, if you are looking for Registered Apprenticeship Programs that are operating in the area of your project, it is recommended that you reach out to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA) contact for that state or the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) contact listed on Apprenticeship.gov.
Connect directly to Group Sponsored Registered Apprenticeship Programs in your area
Below are examples of sponsors of group apprenticeship programs (both joint labor-management programs as well as non-joint group programs) that may be relevant to the construction of solar and storage projects. Companies may reach out to these sponsor organizations’ local offices or chapters to learn about specific apprenticeship programs in the area(s) of their project(s).
Note: This is not an endorsement of the organizations listed below. Apprenticeship programs offered vary by location and may change over time.
Group Sponsored: Joint-Labor Management
| Organization/Sponsor | Occupations |
| IBEW | International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | Electrician |
| LIUNA | Laborers’ International Union of North America | Construction Craft Laborer |
| IUOE | International Union of Operating Engineers | Operating Engineer/Heavy Equipment Operator |
| UBC | United Brotherhood of Carpenters | Carpenter |
| IW | International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union (UW) | Iron Worker |
Group Sponsored: Non-Joint
| Organization/Sponsor | Occupations |
| IEC | Independent Electrical Contractors | Electrician |
| WECA | Western Electrical Contractors Association | Electrician |
| ABC | Associated Builders and Contractors | Electrician
Construction Craft Laborer Carpenter |
| AGC | Associated General Contractors | Electrician
Construction Craft Laborer Operating Engineer/Equipment Operator |
| Technical/Community Colleges & Educational Institutions* | Electrician
Various occupations |
| Community-based Organizations | Various occupations |
*Technical/Community Colleges & Educational Institutions: Reach out to your local community college or your state community college system to ask if they sponsor Registered Apprenticeship Programs or if they provide Related Instruction.
