Workforce Initiatives
Solar and energy efficiency jobs offer a living wage and do not require a college degree. Bright Solar Futures and the Green Retrofit Immersive Training program are initiatives that prepare Pennsylvania’s to fill jobs, growing a diverse workforce that will help make national climate priorities a reality. diversifying the energy industry while meeting employer demand for a trained workforce.
Bright Solar Futures
PEA partnered with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to train high school students for solar jobs 2017. In collaboration with partners and sponsors like PECO and a $1.25 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, PEA created a CTE Solar Installer Training program and an accelerated adult training model.
High School CTE Program
Pennsylvania’s first vocational high school solar program kicked off in Fall of 2020 at Frankford High School. A new cohorts of 10th grade students will be added each year.
PowerCorpsPHL Fellowship
PEA supported a third cohort Bright Solar Futures PowerCorpsPHL Fellowship in 2023. PEA has developed a parallel training pathway for Opportunity Youth in partnership with PowerCorpsPHL. The participants are between the ages of 18 and 30 and receive 680-hour in training.
All successful trainees are connected to a 10-week internship and job opportunities.
BSF Curriculum
The three-year curriculum includes lesson plans, syllabi, and a scope and sequence for the existing program at Frankford High School. It is available for free download to help educators, school administrators, and training professionals start a Bright Solar Futures program at their school or training facility.
Host an intern. PEA places Bright Solar Futures graduates into funded summer internships each year. If you work in the clean energy sector and are interested in hosting one of our students as an intern, contact workforce@philaenergy.org.
Adult Solar Training
PEA’s partner organizations offer no-cost solar training programs for adults. Contact Philadelphia OIC to learn more.
Green Retrofit Immersive Training (GRIT) Program
PEA launched the Green Retrofit Immersive Training (GRIT) Program in 2021, which has three core components: an 12-week training including hands-on labs, an internship, and placement into living wage jobs with contractors performing green home retrofits. The Philadelphia Energy Authority, in partnership with Beyond Literacy, Episcopal Community Services, and the Energy Coordinating Agency offers the 12-week Retrofit Installer Technician training that prepare students for five industry certifications including OSHA 10, OSHA 40 HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response), EPA Lead RRP, BPI WHASI (Whole House Air Sealing and Insulation), and NCCER Level 1 (Carpentry, Electrical, and Plumbing).
The internship is being hosted by Friends Rehabilitaion Program, Inc. GRIT participants will receive a weekly stipend for full participation in the training and internship. Currently PEA is recruiting for its fourth cohort of the GRIT program.
Submit a form of interest today! https://forms.gle/HZD1pN26bVZbM76x8
Interested in learning more about GRIT email workforce@philaenergy.org.
GRIT Program Partners:
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office funded Bright Solar Futures (BSF) program is Pennsylvania’s first vocational high school program in solar energy and the first program of its kind in the nation. The recently completed BSF Solar Lab provides a state of the art teaching and learning environment for BSF students.
PECO is the lead sponsor for the Frankford High School Solar Lab.
Additional support was provided by:
