Community Teamwork, Inc.’s YouthBuild Program and Sunlight Solar Energy to showcase new Solar Lab

Aug. 31, 2010 - PRLog -- A partnership between Community Teamwork, Inc.’s Lowell-based YouthBuild program and Sunlight Solar Energy is helping low-income youth learn about solar energy through preparation for green career advancement.  On Friday, September 10, YouthBuild and Sunlight Solar will unveil the Solar Lab that YouthBuild students have built for a newly developed "Green Jobs" curriculum at YouthBuild’s 391 Pawtucket Boulevard location. Press, legislators, and the public are invited.

The partnership provides the opportunity for YouthBuild students to learn the basics of solar panel installation through an interactive, hands-on learning curriculum with Sunlight Solar installers.  Throughout the month of August, YouthBuild students have participated in weekly workshops, basic installation training, and job shadowing. While the students will not receive official certification, the goal of the program is to introduce students to the growing industry of renewable energy and pique their interest in green construction.  “It’s inspiring to see our younger generation have an understanding of the importance of green energy,” says Jerome Prince, a Sunlight Solar installer who has led many of the solar workshops at YouthBuild.  “It tells me the world has a future.”

YouthBuild Lowell, a program that provides job skill training and teaches leadership skills to young adults who have dropped out of school, was awarded a Green Capacity Building Grant from the Department of Labor in 2009 in order to develop a “Green Jobs Module.”  The grant has funded the purchase of a mobile solar panel training lab, which will give students hands-on training in solar energy systems and an understanding of the mechanics and theories of solar technology.

This initiative helps to develop a skilled green workforce and provide career advancement, while helping to meet the demands in the growing energy efficiency sector.  “The combination of classroom practicum and hands-on field training will enable our students to transition into the expanding green jobs market,” says Kelli Fish, Director of Career Services for Community Teamwork, Inc.  With the help of Sunlight Solar, YouthBuild has been finalizing the “Green Jobs Module” and has finished construction of the Solar Lab to be used in future solar installation training.  Visit http://www.sunlightsolar.com or http://www.comteam.org/youthbuild.htm for details.

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About Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc.:
Sunlight Solar Energy (http://www.sunlightsolar.com) is a certified grid-tied solar electric installation contractor committed to providing the highest quality grid-tied solar electric installations for homes and businesses. Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc is a licensed and insured Solar Installer and has installed over 400 solar arrays throughout New England. Sunlight Solar is a Premier Dealer of SunPower solar modules and inverters.