Solar Electric Training

On Wednesday, January 6, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Austin Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (AEJATC), Workforce Solutions, and ImagineSolar over $4.8 million to fund job training in solar electrical skills.  

Read the full press release.

Comprehensive-National Electrican Solar Training (C-NEST) will provide solar-specific training to entry-level, new-hire Construction Wireman/Construction Electricans (CWCEs), existing electrician apprentices, journeyman electricians, and electrical instructors. 

The entry point into C-NEST for individuals not currently working in the electrical industry is as a CWCE.  The starting hourly wage for a CWCE is $10.47.

Click to view the C-NEST Training Roadmap and course descriptions.

Application Information

To apply for this training, download and complete the Microsoft Word application form (right-click on the link, choose “save target/link as,” choose a file name and save it to your desired location, open the form, enter your information, and save) then send the application as an attachment to solar@twc.state.tx.us.  Please include your full name in the subject line of the email, e.g. “C-NEST application – John Smith.”

If you can’t open the Microsoft Word document, open this PDF version, fill it out, print it, and fax it to 512.719.4710 or mail it to Workforce Solutions, C-NEST Job Training, 6505 Airport Blvd, Suite 101E, Austin, TX, 78752.

After receiving your application form, Workforce Solutions will review it for training program eligibility and suitability.  Workforce Solutions will notify you if it’s determined that you are not eligible for this training program.

To receive C-NEST training, individuals must meet the criteria listed below.

Eligibility

Must belong to at least one of the following categories:

·  Category 1: Unemployed workers - Individuals who are without a job and who want and are available to work

·  Category 4: Workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy - Individuals who: Are currently employed or were employed in an occupation in the utilities; transportation and warehousing; manufacturing; construction; mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; or other sectors that have been adversely affected by national energy and environmental policies; and have received a notice of termination or lay-off from employment

Residency

Must reside in one of the following counties:

Suitability

Must meet all suitability requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Legally eligible for employment in the USA
• Physically and mentally able to safely perform or learn to safely perform essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accomodation (e.g. lift, climb, crawl, work in confined spaces, work from ladders of various heights)
• Able to read, hear, and understand instructions and warnings
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Completed high school algebra or equivalent with a passing grade
• Have daily access to an operable vehicle to get to and from job sites in a wide geographic region
• Able to pass a pre-employment drug screen

Note:  Individuals with criminal offenses including deceptive trade practices, fraud, crimes against persons or property, or involving prohibited sexual conduct or involving children may not be eligible to obtain a state-issued license that is required to work in the electrical industry.

Selective Service

Every male citizen born on or after January 1, 1960 and every other male legally residing in the United States, is required to register with the Selective Service System.  The Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which is the funding source for the training, requires that a determination of Selective Service registration be made prior to enrollment in WIA funded activities and services.  Only those male applicants in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements are eligible to participate in funded activities and services.  Information on who must register, registration verification, exemptions and status letters can be obtained at www.sss.gov.

If you are suitable and eligible, you will receive a notice from Austin Electric Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (AEJATC) with information about scheduling an Intake appointment. 

You will need to bring required documentation to this appointment (click the link for a list of acceptable documents).

After the Intake appointment, you may be invited to attend an Orientation session, designed to offer you a hands-on introduction to the Solar Electric field.  During this session, you will have the opportunity to choose your training track (Residential or Utility) and ask any questions you may have about the work and the training.  Once you’ve attended the Orientation session, you will decide whether Solar Electric training is right for you and program staff will assist you in class enrollment.

For more information about this training program, please contact the Training Coordinator.

Good Luck!