A Meaningful Partnership
At the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), we are dedicated to growing the solar workforce, making sure that anyone who is interested in a career in clean energy can access affordable and accredited solar training.
That’s why, when we were approached by the nonprofit Employment Connection in St. Louis, Missouri, we were pleased to work with them to set up a solar training program that met the unique needs of their organization.
We’re excited to share their testimonial, along with a summary of the comprehensive training package we provided, in hopes that others will take advantage of our Custom Group Training services.
A Glimpse into the Experience
We worked with Christina Brewington, the Program Director from Employment Connection to establish Custom Group Training that aligned with their mission of breaking down barriers to self-sufficiency for individuals with limited opportunities including the homeless, ex-offenders, U.S. veterans, high school dropouts, women on welfare, and at-risk youth. Christina shared her thoughts on our Custom Group Training:
“We really enjoy working with MREA and look forward to our continued partnership. The flexibility of your training program allowed us to tailor everything to our needs. We were able to select courses relevant to our cohort, and the entire process from start to finish was super easy.” – Christina B
Engaging and Impactful Training
As an Accredited Solar Training Provider for over 30 years, we know that a one-size fits all approach to training isn’t always the best solution. We work with our customers to assess the needs of the training participants and work together to meet them where they are at. Our breadth of experience and curriculum allows us to customize the training based on the skill level and previous experience of the students we are working with.
“The timeline to offer the training was flexible based on our needs. We were able to modify the training to our schedule; how often and how many days to host the trainings. We were able to select from courses that were offered and select ones that were relevant to our cohort.“ – Christina B
Pathway to Earning a NABCEP PV Associate Credential
We worked with Christina and the Employment Connection team to establish a clear training pathway that worked for them:
- Intro to Solar Energy Work (PV 100) - Delivered in three 7-hr days.
- Basic Photovoltaics (PV 101) – Delivered in two 7-hr days.
- PV Site Assessment (PV 201) – Delivered in one 8-hour day.
- PV System Design (PV 202) – Delivered in two 8-hour days.
Upon completing the training, students met the requirements to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam and earn their entry-level solar credential, giving them a leg-up in procuring employment in the solar industry.
“The participants were able to attend a site visit at a local Solar Company and were able to ‘speak the language’. This would not have been possible if they had not attended the training.” – Christina B
Customized Solar Training
At MREA, we believe in the power of customized solar training solutions that drive real results. If you’re interested in exploring how our custom group training can benefit your team, organization, or community, reach out today!