During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking our training from inside the classroom to outdoors.  Through the North Texas Cares fund’s first grant cycle, Green Careers Dallas was honored, grateful and pleased to receive grants from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Communities Foundation of Texas that will fund the building of 2 outdoor 20’x16’ mock rooftops.

This generous spacing will allow instructors, assistants and trainees to maintain the physical distancing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.  Another great benefit to preventing the spread of this deadly virus, is natural outdoor airflow.  Additionally, staff will sanitize tools, provide masks and hand sanitizer. Our goal is to have this new outdoor learning lab constructed in October 2020 for a new class of trainees to move directly into the solar PV installation industry upon graduation via internships and full-time employment.

Our instructors are solar PV industry installation and design experts. Trainees will complete an online 12-hour solar-specific safety course before attending Green Careers Dallas’ new 2-day hands-on training.  During these 2 days in our new outdoor lab, trainees will learn the basics of solar PV installation, learn to properly use safety equipment, learn to properly handle panels, learn to use the equipment needed for installation, and install panels in both portrait and landscape.

Trainees will also be enrolled with community partners who provide support of employability & soft skills support such as resume writing and interview skills.  Holistic support of our trainees increases success in their new solar career, creating loyal, well-prepared employees.