Fort Lauderdale, FL Record breaking attendance at US Solar Institute’s fourth quarter PV diploma course highlights the need for quality education and the increasing level of interest in green jobs.
The final courses for 2014 just wrapped up at US Solar Institute (USSI) with over 20 students taking part in the solar training sessions. The training and education process was intense and thorough. Over the course of a three weeks, students spent time in the classroom, in the lab, and on actual installation sites for both roof and ground mount solar systems. In addition to the classroom, lab, and installation work, students also worked through take-home assignments, reading and test materials.
Online courses were completed as well. US Solar Institute provides online solar training for students to prepare for the intense in-person sessions. There are currently two online courses available, with more to come in the next academic year. The first is PV101, US Solar Institutes foundational solar training course. The second is the OSHA 30 Hour Construction Certification course, a comprehensive safety program designed for anybody working in the construction industry.
While these courses are pre-requisites for the in-person courses, US Solar Institute has found that there is a large demand for solar training online at all levels of experience. PV101 offers a strong foundation in solar education and is accessible whenever, wherever. “Sometimes we have students who are eager to learn more about photovoltaics but who aren’t able to make the trip for the full course at that given time.” Explained Fay Johnson of US Solar Institute. “PV101 provides the ability for these students to build a strong understanding of the solar industry regardless of what direction they eventually decide to go in. Those who continue on in US Solar Institute’s full program find that PV101 provides an invaluable foundation.”
Students who attended the in-person classes in addition to the online offerings had a lot of positive feedback about the program. “I loved the hands on training and the precision describing the actual state of the solar industry.” Said one student from the program. “The firsthand experiences and explanations on how the business really works made the program worth every penny.”
With such great demand for quality solar training, US Solar Institute is excited to offer a new in-person session in just a few months. Quarter One for 2015 will begin February 16, 2015 and registration is now open. Online courses PV101 and OSHA 30 Hour are currently open for enrollment as well and can be taken at any time.
About US Solar Institute
US Solar Institute is licensed by the Florida Department of Education to offer PV diplomas, the Florida Department of Businesses and Professional Regulation, and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board as a continuing education provider. US Solar Institute is also a partner of Underwriter Laboratories and a NABCEP PV Exam Provider.