![\"Dominic](\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dominic-and-Keon-two-new-GRID-employees.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMeet Dominic and Keon, new GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic construction employees. Their very first introduction to solar was this summer, through a job training program. \u201cIf you asked me and Dom the first day, \u2018give me the bandsaw,\u2019 I\u2019d be like \u2018what? Is that an instrument or something?\u2019\u201d said Keon.<\/p>\n
Keon and Dom were two of the Department of Energy and the Environment\u2019s (DOEE)\u2019s Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP) where 15 local youth joined GRID for six weeks to gain solar industry skills. Through participating in a variety of workshops and completing solar installations under supervision of GRID staff, the trainees gained valuable skills to prepare them for entering the workforce. After the summer, Dominic and Keon were both offered SolarCorps Construction jobs with GRID to continue their training. Partially funded by an AmeriCorps National Grant, they have committed to completing at least 1,700 hours of direct service for the communities GRID serves. Over the next year, Dom and Keon will continue to gain solar industry skills through the AmeriCorps program. <\/p>\n
And it all started with their initial training. \u201cMy first time being on an install was pretty scary, being on a roof for the first time. It took me twenty minutes to actually stand up on a pitched roof,\u201d explained Keon, \u201cThen that day I was like, \u2018Ok, this is something I can grow into liking.\u2019 And then the next install came and I was like, \u2018Ok, I can do something with this.\u2019 Then the third install came and I was like, \u2018I love this.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really good program,\u201d said Dominic, \u201cNow we are employees and we get to do what we like every single day.\u201d And they aren\u2019t just learning solar installation skills through the year-long AmeriCorps program. \u201cWe are still learning every single day. There are so many learning opportunities. I\u2019m getting better at public speaking myself \u2013 we had to do a public speaking exercise at staff retreat,\u201d said Dominic. <\/p>\n
This experience is life-changing. New trainees discover a passion for solar and a new career path that they had never considered before. Now, Dominic aspires to be a Solar Installation Supervisor, so he will have a steady workflow and can teach other people about solar. Keon can see himself also advancing within the solar field, and eventually becoming a warehouse manager. <\/p>\n
![\"Dominic](\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dominic-serving-his-community-teaching-volunteers-about-solar.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In the past two years, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic has trained over 450 volunteers. With programs like GZEP and AmeriCorps, our staff is able to hone the skills of each individual, giving them valuable experience and skills to add to their resume. Now, Dominic and Keon complete solar installations with the other staff, go on service calls to help clients with any issues they have with their system, and conduct site visits to make sure houses are ready for solar. \u201cThey will make sure you get everything that you need to know,\u201d said Keon. \u201cIt was definitely a good learning space. If you didn\u2019t know, you would be able to ask,\u201d said Dominic.<\/p>\n
Now, Dominic and Keon not only know what a bandsaw is, but have also gained many skills and are prepared to continue their career in the solar industry \u201cThis is my first actual job,\u201d said Keon, \u201cI love everything that GRID has to offer \u2013 and I don\u2019t take anything for granted.\u201d <\/p>\n
![\"Donate](\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/button.jpg\")
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"