Wright College Humboldt Park is proud to provide its latest cohort of Solar Panel Installation program completers with their own solar panel installation toolkits at no cost, thanks to its strong partnerships and a grant-funded state workforce development program.
Wright College’s Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) program, Wright JobHire, is made possible by support from an Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Workforce Equity Initiative Grant. Wright JobHire provides full tuition coverage and additional support services to qualified students accepted into specific fields of study. Solar Panel Installation is one of six workforce areas available to program participants.
In an effort to support the program’s latest cohort, Wright College Humboldt Park provided a group of 12 recent completers with their very own solar panel installation toolkits. Toolkits included a battery-powered drill, plier and screwdriver assortment, and a tool bag to carry onto future worksites.
Participants in the Wright JobHire Solar Panel Installation program earn skills to prepare them for a career in renewable energy, including safety practices, electrical basics, and solar energy principles. Program completers are eligible to obtain a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) credential and begin careers as solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installers.
Completers also go on to become solar sales consultants or add their solar technology knowledge to construction-based work in electrical or roofing. The program is offered in partnership with Elevate Energy, a Chicago-based nonprofit committed to making the benefits and services of a clean energy economy accessible to everyone.
In addition to solar panel installation, Wright JobHire offers programs to qualified individuals in areas including CNC machining, cybersecurity, networking, web development, and criminal justice. The program provides more than full tuition coverage—students can benefit from transportation, childcare, and job placement assistance.
For more information about Workforce Equity Initiative programs at City Colleges of Chicago, please visit www.ccc.edu/wei or contact Director Jenetta O’ Neal (joneal30@ccc.edu) and Executive Director Onie Riley (oriley1@ccc.edu).
