With the push to move towards alternative methods of
producing electricity, more and more workers will be needed in areas such as
solar.
Local businesswoman and entrepreneur Ebony Hughes has
helped create an educational program that is teaching students the skills
needed to work in the solar energy field.
Hughes has teamed with the Gullah Geechie Chamber
Foundation and Solar United National to create Minority Incubator Solar and
Disaster Resiliency Hub – MIP for short.
Solar United National, based in Mt. Pleasant, won a federal
grant with the idea of creating training hubs in rural areas.
Students enrolled in the training program are getting paid $12/hour
to attend Monday through Friday for three weeks. Meals and other personal needs
are provided to each student. They’ll also earn an OSHA certificate upon
completion of the program teaching how to install solar panels and build
charging stations for electric vehicles.
Two car charging stations are being built behind the building
where the classes are taking place – 1530 Highmarket Street in Georgetown. They
are expected to be ready for use by the public by July 8, said Grant Scheffer
of Solar United National. He said unlike some of the charging stations in the
area, these will be fast chargers. He said a car will receive a decent charge in
about 30 minutes.
Scheffer said this program is for anyone but it is especially
good for those with a criminal history or for someone re-entering the workforce
from a different occupation.
He said the solar industry needs more professionals in its
labor force to deal with the growth and demand in areas like Georgetown County.
We spoke with Scheffer, Hughes, Randy Walker and Marvin Neal
Thursday about the program:
[embedded content]
For
more information about the course click HERE.
producing electricity, more and more workers will be needed in areas such as
solar.
Local businesswoman and entrepreneur Ebony Hughes has
helped create an educational program that is teaching students the skills
needed to work in the solar energy field.
Hughes has teamed with the Gullah Geechie Chamber
Foundation and Solar United National to create Minority Incubator Solar and
Disaster Resiliency Hub – MIP for short.
Solar United National, based in Mt. Pleasant, won a federal
grant with the idea of creating training hubs in rural areas.
Students enrolled in the training program are getting paid $12/hour
to attend Monday through Friday for three weeks. Meals and other personal needs
are provided to each student. They’ll also earn an OSHA certificate upon
completion of the program teaching how to install solar panels and build
charging stations for electric vehicles.
Two car charging stations are being built behind the building
where the classes are taking place – 1530 Highmarket Street in Georgetown. They
are expected to be ready for use by the public by July 8, said Grant Scheffer
of Solar United National. He said unlike some of the charging stations in the
area, these will be fast chargers. He said a car will receive a decent charge in
about 30 minutes.
Scheffer said this program is for anyone but it is especially
good for those with a criminal history or for someone re-entering the workforce
from a different occupation.
He said the solar industry needs more professionals in its
labor force to deal with the growth and demand in areas like Georgetown County.
We spoke with Scheffer, Hughes, Randy Walker and Marvin Neal
Thursday about the program:
[embedded content]
For
more information about the course click HERE.
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