Meet GRID Alternatives' newest job training partner

The Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC) is GRID Alternatives' newest job training partner. This is the first year CVOC job trainees have had the opportunity to participate in our largest annual installation event of the year-Solarthon 2013.  

The Central Valley Opportunity Center and GRID Alternatives' recent partnership provides students with an avenue to gain hands on experience in California's fast growing solar industry. CVOC offers a solar training course for students, while GRID Alternatives' construction staff trains and leads students on how to install solar power.

Thomas Davenport, the instructor for the solar program at CVOC, stated, “there is always a missing void between instruction and actual hands on training, and since we’ve partnered with the GRID Alternatives Central Valley office, students are more confident and know where they stand in the solar industry.”  

Over the last several years, the Central Valley GRID Alternatives office, has established many similar partnerships throughout its 13 county region. Hundreds of job trainees from local educational organizations have volunteered on solar installations. “By volunteering with GRID Alternatives students learn firsthand what is expected of them before commencing a career in the solar industry, and this motivates me to start a career in solar,” said Hector Villagomez, a student at  Central Valley Opportunity Center All in all, it is a mutually beneficial partnership between the two organizations