There is an addition of 51,000 jobs in Solar Industry in 2016. But most of them never get filled. It is found that 84% of solar installers have reported difficulty in filling these positions.The employers are facing difficulties in finding the right candidates; it is costing them money and jobs. They are turning down prospects as it is hard to find qualified workers. The problem is not unique to the solar industry; other industries with high specialization requirements are also hitting all time low unemployment rates. But, solar industry is different from them as it is relatively new.
Expose more solar to youth
Young students are more interested in becoming something that they see daily. A kindergartner dreams of being a train engineer because he can see it around him when he travels. If solar technology gets exposure then might be students will get attracted to it.
An example of such exposure could be the Flat TV screen in Charlottesville High School in Virginia, US. The TV broadcasts the performance of solar array installed in the school, the amount of energy offset and the amount of greenhouse gas the solar arrays bypass. It is also helping school cut its electricity bills.
Bringing Trainers and Installers closer
A big problem is that trainers don’t ask candidates questions like –“What’s the career path industry? What certifications are needed to get into this industry?” and similar questions. This disconnect between them is costing the industry.
A good solution to these problems could be increasing the number of trade schools offering solar installation courses and companies should start cross-training skilled candidates in related fields in energy and construction.
Candidates also have this misconception is that they need a long training, need a degree or some certification. That’s not true; a majority of employers have very low requirements and pay decent money. Additionally, the promotion potential is unmatchable.
Giving students a solar experience
McKechnie is the founder of Mountain View Solar, and in association with Hagerstown Community College, Maryland, he has started an Alternate Energy Development course. The bigger thing is that they provide enrolled students the chance to intern with them at a live solar company.
Interns are involved in every step of the process from sales, to installation and even answering the queries of the customers.
Five students have been hired to work full time after graduation, during the internship. The company has trained a lot of students.Those students who move on are in the industry and no love is lost for them.
Mountain View Solar has become stronger and competitive because of its internship program yielding high-quality employees.
Wrapping it up, all the three mentioned points –improving awareness of solar job opportunities, ensuring that the trainers know what employers need, and on-the-job training –will surely help in filling all the unfilled positions in the solar industry.