Innovators & Influencers: Erika Symmonds, building a diverse solar workforce || Solar Power World
By Kristen Graf
As the solar industry evolves and grows, it is imperative to its long-term success to have a diverse workforce. Having different minds, talents, backgrounds and ideas in the room and at decision-making tables will foster the innovative and creative problem-solving needed for a healthy industry. Unfortunately, as found by The Solar Foundation in its “2017 U.S. Solar Industry Diversity Study,” the solar industry isn’t there yet.
Thankfully, Erika Symmonds is working hard with her team and a variety of partners to change that. As the VP of workforce development and service-learning at GRID Alternatives, Erika leads job-training program development and showcases her passion for serving youth, the unemployed and underemployed and formerly incarcerated citizens.