The City of Madison Engineering Division announced Wednesday it is seeking participants for a six-month training program to prepare them for jobs in the solar energy industry.
The GreenPower program, which will run from mid-April to mid-October, will supply paid classroom and hands-on training in solar energy technology, installation and safety techniques, according to the release.
Admitted participants will have the opportunity to work on a crew led by a licensed electrician and install solar energy technology at various locations around the city.
City of Madison Engineer Robert Phillips said the program offers a chance to learn new job skills and invest in city facilities.
“Program participants will gain exposure and experience in a new career field while helping to increase the City’s generation of renewable energy and decrease the City’s carbon footprint,” Phillips said in the release.
The city will invite up to 30 top candidates to an informational and testing session, and use these scores to narrow the pool to the top 15. Following a three-day paid solar training, the City of Madison Engineering Division will hire the top two candidates as solar installer trainees.
The release cited U.S. Department of Labor reports that predict employment of solar energy installers is projected to rise 24 percent from 2014 to 2024. It also noted the median annual wage for solar energy installers is $40,020.
Interested individuals can visit the city’s website to apply before the deadline of Feb. 14.
