GRID Alternatives and WRISE Host Job Fair During RE+ Conference
The solar industry is slated to expand exponentially with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which makes historic investments in solar energy. Some reports suggest that the industry could employ more than one million Americans by 2030. According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s (IREC) 2021 National Solar Job Census, the U.S. solar industry already employs 255,037 nationwide, representing an increase of 9.2% compared to 2020.
GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit building community powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy, is proud to be a part of the success of the solar industry’s job growth by providing workforce development and training opportunities. GRID has trained close to 1,700 individuals in solar installation and placed more than 1,400 trainees at jobs in the renewable energy sector. Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), a national nonprofit focused on accelerating the transition to a sustainable and equitable future, provides a range of programmatic opportunities to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.
Diversifying the solar workforce with highly qualified employees is part of both GRID and WRISE’s missions, and it is critical to the continued growth and success of the renewable energy sector. That’s why GRID, WRISE, Smart Electric Power Alliance, and the Solar Energy Industries Association are sponsoring the Clean Energy Job Fair on Wednesday, September 21 from 11am-3pm PST, in conjunction with the 2022 RE+ Conference in Anaheim, CA. The job fair is free to all job seekers and will provide a dedicated space for job seekers and clean energy companies to connect. This is a national event, with registration open to any employers looking to hire in the U.S., but will have a strong emphasis on the Southern California solar job market. The RE+ conference is the largest and most comprehensive event in North America for the clean energy industry and brings together an extensive alliance of renewable energy leaders for multiple days of programming and networking opportunities.
“GRID is proud to partner on this event,” said Adewale Ogunbadejo, GRID’s Workforce Development Vice President. “Increasing the clean energy workforce in a way that addresses equity is incredibly important as we work to bring renewable energy solutions to the communities we serve. This job fair provides the chance for both employers and job seekers to learn, connect, and engage about career opportunities as the sector works to expand and strengthen the workforce and our local economies.”
“In order to address the climate crisis, it’s critical that we build a diverse and equitable workforce. We need every voice at the table and every skillset in the field to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities in front of us,” offered Kristen Graf, Executive Director of WRISE. “Supporting events like the Clean Energy Job Fair to facilitate connecting employers with qualified candidates is a unique and timely opportunity. It’s also important to continue to recruit individuals into the industry with opportunities, like the Rising Solar Fellowship, that supports aspiring solar professionals from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in renewable energy.”
About GRID Alternatives
Renewable energy can drive economic growth and environmental benefits in communities most impacted by underemployment, pollution and climate change. GRID Alternatives is a leader in helping economic and environmental justice communities get clean, affordable renewable energy, transportation, and jobs. Internationally, our energy access work is lighting up off-grid communities in Nepal, Nicaragua, and Mexico. GRID envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.
About WRISE
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) formerly called Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) was founded in 2005 and accelerates the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of community. WRISE has local chapters across the US and Canada; national programming that includes the annual luncheon, Leadership Forum, fellowships, the Speakers Bureau and webinar series; and a growing grassroots network of more than 15,000 participants. The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals as well as corporate partners. www.wrisenergy.org