Apprenticeships in the Solar Industry

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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.

Apprenticeship Connections

SEIA is ready to connect companies with experts, partners, and resources that can support them in their apprenticeship journey.

 

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.

 

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.

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