Philadelphia Solar Career Move

and women
who qualify will receive free training in Solar PV
Installation, Solar Sales and Advanced Solar
Design. The program targets persons with 2 or more
years experience in construction, carpentry, electrical,
roofing, remodeling or HVAC. Our Vision . . . To redirect the focus of workforce programming
toward neighborhoods and away from sterile,
impersonal big box initiatives. Our historic and vital
neighborhood centers provide an array of services
unavailable in traditional workforce projects, including
housing, utility, food, childcare, parenting, clothing
and much more - all services that are vital to
someone seeking employment. The success of this
vision will create a workforce system based on established
community trust and place services directly in
those communities where there is the greatest need. Our Goals . . . To design, implement and test a solar career training
program, Philadelphia Solar Career Move
(SCM),that prepares incumbent workers for careers
in Solar PV Installation, Solar Sales and Solar
Design, building a diverse solar workforce that
reflects our community. Between January 2012 & June 2014, SCM will hold:
• Five contextualized literacy cohorts with
customized supports based on the participant
needs prior to the start of the solar training
classes
• 2 Solar Sales cohorts, and
• 1 Advance Solar Design class

SCM participants receive 2 weeks of intensive
preparation in Electrical Theory, Math for PV Installers,
and Workforce Skills, then attend a 5 day
ISPC/IREQ accredited training in Solar PV. They
then participate in Test Prep workshops prior to
taking the NABCEP Entry-Level PV Installer Exam, a
nationally recognized credential. Through our partnership
with SEI and in collaboration with the FNC’s
workforce team, participants make connections with
employers through referrals and events such as
Employer Meet & Greets. In partnership with our member neighborhood
centers and with Wider Opportunities for Women
(WOW), our recruitment aims at a diverse pool of
qualified candidates including members of all Philadelphia
communities, and helping women to build
their credentials in non-traditional careers. The overall goals are to enroll 160 adults into SCM,
of which 144 will complete the training programs,
119 will receive credentials, 112 will be placed in
the industry, and 100 will be retained in
their job by June 2014. Our Partners . . . Jobs for the Future
U.S. Department of Labor
Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board
Smart Energy Initiative
Wider Opportunities for Women
Job Opportunity Investment Network,
Infinite Solar
Lutheran Settlement House
Diversified Community Services
United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia