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Fourteen adult students recently graduated from Greater Lawrence Technical School’s Solar Installer Technical Training course.
Superintendent John Lavoie said the school’s Workforce Development Department created the 20-week program in partnership with Groundwork Lawrence. It was paid with a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The class helps adult learners who are looking for a pathway to a new career earn all of the basic skills and certifications required for an entry-level job in a growing field.
“Green and sustainable energy is the future of the construction industry in so many ways, and you’ve taken your first step on the path to a career in that industry,” Lavoie said, urging students to “Please don’t ever quit learning, and let yourself grow to find a better life for you and your family.”
Graduate Franquel Garcia, of Lawrence, was working as a private driver before taking the class, but after graduation was hired by Tesla to work as a solar panel maintenance technician. He is already working at his new job.
“I was just a rookie when I got here. I started from the beginning,” Garcia said. “But I learned how to work with conduit, learned basic electrical and solar panel maintenance. It was everything I needed to know to land a job.”
Adult learners were provided with comprehensive, hands-on instruction in solar installations, electrical work and safety compliance. Graduates earned industry-recognized certifications while learning from a team of three expert instructors. As part of the program, they participated in job interviews with leading local solar companies, positioning them for immediate employment in the renewable energy field.
The course was scheduled to make it feasible for working adults, with classes being held Monday to Wednesday from 4-8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an additional four hours of online coursework per week.