Offering pre-apprenticeship programs in trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical and masonry, North Chicago-based YouthBuild Lake County is now piloting a national effort to create clean-energy jobs in a field combining the skills of a carpenter and electrician — solar panel installation.
Juan Carrillo, 20, of Zion, is one of 10 people who completed the solar panel installation program in October. He landed a full-time position as an installer with Arch Electric, and starts next month. He said the rewards are more than financial.
“I know solar energy is important for the world, in a positive way,” Carrillo said. “Solar is a big step that will help the world in the years to come.”
YouthBuild Lake County is one of three organizations nationwide piloting a national program to train people to install solar panels on homes, businesses or other buildings, certifying 10 people in October in North Chicago as qualified to install the equipment.
Chosen by YouthBuild Global, as one of three — the others are in Massachusetts and Texas — to pilot the solar energy certification program, YouthBuild Lake County can equip young people to work in a growth industry.
Tameka Wilson, YouthBuild Lake County’s executive director, said in an email adding solar panel installation as a certificate makes it a leader in a growing industry. Clean-energy jobs grew by more than double the rate of all job growth in the U.S. last year.
“This solar initiative not only elevates the training and career pathways we can offer our participants, but also positions YouthBuild Lake County as a leader in equipping young adults with skills that meet the demands of the future workforce,” she said in the email.
Focusing on offering pre-apprenticeship programs and other skills to young people from underserved parts of Lake County, Wilson said it puts the area around Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion and beyond, in a unique position.
“Through program expansions and offerings like this, YouthBuild Lake County can continue preparing young adults for meaningful careers while driving progress toward a brighter, more sustainable future for our community,” she said.
Kingston Neal, YouthBuild’s construction superintendent, said YouthBuild Global was looking for local organizations to pilot the solar panel installation certificate program. He had conversations with members of the national organization.
“They went to people who they thought could mentor it,” Neal said. “They talked to us regularly, and will continue to do it to see all the pieces are in place. They are creating a pathway to solar. This is the fastest-growing job in the country.”
Combining the skills of both a carpenter and electrician, he said installers use an impact wrench which is like a large, powerful staple gun, and a knife to ensure proper placement. They also have to understand how to connect it to a home’s electrical power so it keeps the lights burning.
Starting pay for an apprentice is $25 an hour, which amounts to a little more than $50,000 a year. Neal said when someone is fully trained, they can expect to earn between $85,000 and $90,000 annually.
Carrillo is looking forward to his new job. During the program — both in the classroom and applying the skills in the field — he said he learned how to install solar panels on a roof without damaging the surface.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say it’s about an 8,” he said, referring to his level of excitement about the new job. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m confident.”
Neal said he needed training himself to teach the course, though he is a general contractor who has overseen the construction of numerous buildings. He started over the summer, traveling to Colorado and learning how to “rack and mount” solar panels himself. Positioning is important.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “There was a lot of hands-on training for me. There are a lot of nuances in getting the panels in the right place. You have to position them where they’ll get as much sun as they can. You have to learn how to do it for residential and commercial buildings.”
