Just days after
submitting the US commitments to reduce GHG emissions to the United Nations, President Obama has
launched a new solar training initiative, with emphasis on veteran training, which will add 75,000 new solar jobs by 2020.
Dan Utech, deputy special assistant to the president for energy and climate change, told reporters in a phone call Friday the initiative reflects the president’s conviction that “no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” Utech noted the solar industry is adding jobs 10 times faster than the rest of the economy, and many of them are in construction and installation. Last year the solar industry the US installed 6,201 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics and 767 MW of concentrating solar power, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, enough to power the equivalent of about 1.4 million homes.
Obama made a point of making the announcement in the very red state of Utah, where he stressed the economic advantages and growth to come from the new solar job creations.
The President also talked about the new veterans program called "solar ready vets" which will create a federal training program for veterans.
the program will be a joint-venture between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, and will take place at 10 military bases across the country.
Solar Ready Vets, the White House says, is “based on the specific needs of high-growth solar employers, is tailored to build on the technician skills that veterans have acquired through their service, and incorporates work-based learning strategies.” The program will train service members in all facets of solar installation, teaching them how to size solar panels, connect electricity to the grid, and deal with building codes.