Empowering Diversity in the Solar Industry: Creating Career Pathways for Underrepresented Students

Students practice commissioning a PV System in a hands-on training hosted by Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship (WISEe), in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photo Credit: Monokrom Pictures

The solar industry is growing rapidly around the world. However, despite its rapid growth and potential, the solar industry still faces a significant challenge: a lack of diversity. Underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, and those from low-income backgrounds, are under-represented in the workforce. To address this gap, it is crucial to create comprehensive career pathways for these students to ensure they can move beyond training and secure meaningful, lasting employment in the solar sector.

Overcoming Barriers with Career Pathways

Creating career pathways involves more than just offering training programs. It requires a holistic approach that includes education, mentorship, and job placement support to ensure students not only enter the industry but thrive within it. Each of the following criteria are an instrumental part of this process:

1. Education and Training:

It begins with accessible and affordable education that equips students with the necessary technical and vocational skills. Remote Energy has created a mix of intensive classroom and hands-on training designed to empower students with marketable skills. Classes provide participants an opportunity to practice using the tools of the trade and participate in hands-on exercises and ‘minilabs’ designed to develop and replicate and refine important worksite skills. Students weave theoretical knowledge with practical application by practicing in the installation of “mock PV systems” on campus before participating in an actual community-based installation with their peers and experienced instructors.

2. Mentorship and Networking:

Mentorship programs are vital for providing guidance, support, and industry insights. Experienced professionals can offer invaluable advice, helping students navigate their career journeys. Networking opportunities, such as industry conferences and workshops, provide a platform for building professional relationships which allow students to connect with potential employers and peers, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

3. Internships, Jobs, and Apprenticeships:

Practical experience is crucial. Internships, jobs, and apprenticeships offer hands-on training and a foot in the door. These programs should be designed to be inclusive, providing stipends or financial support to ensure students from all backgrounds can participate.

4. Job Placement and Career Advancement:

Supporting students in finding their first job is just the beginning. Career pathways should include resources for ongoing professional development and opportunities for advancement. This might involve partnerships with solar companies to create clear career ladders and continuous learning programs to keep up with changes in the fast growing industry..

Creating career pathways for underrepresented students in the solar industry is not just an act of social justice; it is a strategic necessity for the industry’s growth and sustainability. By investing in education, mentorship, practical experience, and job placement, we can ensure a diverse and capable workforce that drives innovation and equity in the solar sector.