Hudson County Community College (HCCC) recently celebrated eleven students who completed Solar Installation Training. Pictured here, front row, from left: Dimension Energy Origination Associate Elena Mannion; HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber; HCCC Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Continuing Education and Workforce Development Lori Margolin; graduates Jimmy Harris, Ari McPherson, Charles Cooper and Willie Brown; New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) Executive Director and Chair James McGreevey; HCCC Apprenticeship Coordinator Albert Williams.
The new program illustrates how the College’s public-private partnerships
prepare the workforce with sustainable careers for the future.
Recently, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) celebrated 11 students who completed Solar Installation Training offered by the College in partnership with Dimension Energy, a national community solar developer, owner, and operator. HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, HCCC Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Continuing Education and Workforce Development Lori Margolin, Dimension Energy Origination Associate Elana Mannion, New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) Executive Director and Chairman James McGreevey, and others congratulated graduates at the ceremony.
Solar energy is a renewable, clean, and low-maintenance energy source that helps reduce environmental pollution and electric bills. In recent years, solar energy has become more than an alternative source of power; it is steadily developing into one of the world’s primary energy sources.
As demand for solar energy grows, the industry is actively recruiting individuals trained to install solar panels, which have become more affordable. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 24% job growth for solar photovoltaic installers, much higher than the growth in many other industries, and the solar energy industry is expected to continue growing worldwide.
HCCC’s intensive, seven-week offering was taught at the Governor’s Reentry Training and Employment Center in Kearny. The course was taught collaboratively by skilled professionals from HCCC and Solar One, with employers and construction trade unions invited to participate. Training included Hands-on Solar Installation classes, plus Introduction to Construction, Work Readiness Skills, and four certifications — OSHA-10, Basic Life Support (BLS), Green Construction, and Photovoltaic Installer.
A key component of this workforce development program was connecting students to apprenticeships and job opportunities. Students networked with Dimension Energy, Procurement, Employer, and Trade Union partners. One student attained employment before the program ended.
“This clean energy training program is an outstanding example of a public-private partnership and investment,” Dr. Reber stated. “Tuition was provided by HCCC from the Metallica Band’s All Within My Hands Foundation; students’ stipends and networking opportunities came from Dimension Energy; HCCC and Solar One provided training; hands-on solar installation training with Solar One was delivered with funding support from the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative; HCCC provided a Student Success Coach; and New Jersey Reentry Corporation supplied the training venue.”
“Hudson County Community College is a great workforce development partner because they understand the importance of each step in the process,” said Bryan Bentrott, Vice President of Origination for Dimension. “From LinkedIn tutorials to employer networking to post-course follow-ups with each student, their team is making sure every student has a clear path to a full-time job. We are excited to see some of these graduates join Dimension projects shortly.”
