It\u2019s an exciting time for Basel, Adbel and Mahmoud. This week they are all graduating from GRID Alternatives\u2019 Solar Training Program which they started in November 2018. They first heard about the program through friends and quickly signed up. The opportunity to learn solar was a welcome change of pace from the country club restaurant where they were working as chef\u2019s assistants, an atmosphere they said was often stifling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to work outdoors and be challenged,\u201d Basel explained. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to just work at the restaurant, inside a building, and feel like I\u2019m not doing anything good for my life, for my future.\u201d <\/p>\n
For the trainees, working in the solar industry meant a chance to develop an invaluable skill set, all while meeting new people and building comradery. Meeting new people was especially important to the trainees as they navigated a new culture and language. All three are originally from Syria and have lived in different parts of the United States for the last couple of years.<\/p>\n
Upon arriving in the US, they all say they found it hard to meet people because of the language barrier and cultural differences. At the restaurant they encountered other newcomers with similar struggles. Working at GRID they say they were able to meet a variety of people with different cultural mindsets. \u201cAt the restaurant, it’s the same people everyday,\u201d says Basel. \u201cNow I\u2019ve met more than 100 people with GRID. And a bunch have become good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unique, hands-on training provided by GRID fosters an environment where trainees, volunteers and staff from various walks of life find commonality and networks through their journey of learning industry-relevant skills.<\/p>\n
What has made GRID especially exciting for the trainees was their immediate introduction to the roof. \u201cI was excited by my first experience,\u201d says Abdel. \u201cSome of the equipment was uncomfortable, but it got easier over time. The roof is my favorite place to work because it\u2019s so demanding.\u201d But they were all flexible and attentive as they\u2019ve learned panel installation as well as ground tasks such as wiring inverter boxes and positioning ground rods.<\/p>\n
One thing is for sure, the three of them understand the importance of solar as it relates to people, planet and employment. \u201cSolar is important; it helps people with their bills\u201d, says Basel. \u201cIt helps people who don\u2019t have work find all types of jobs. It helped us learn English faster!\u201d<\/p>\n
Basel, Mahmoud and Abdel are enthusiastic about solar because of the many work opportunities ahead of them. \u201cI envision a good future with solar,\u201d says Mahmoud. \u201cIt\u2019s my passion, so I know I will work hard and do my best.\u201d With all they\u2019ve learned, we know they\u2019ll go far!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For many trainees, learning about solar creates community as well as job opportunities<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":5662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"audience":[],"content-type":[12],"focus-area":[20],"region":[16],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-6780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","content-type-news","focus-area-job-training","region-southern-california"],"acf":{"hero_media_type":"image","hero_media_image":null,"hero_media_url":"","hero_media_poster":null,"hero_video_play":"inline","related_stories":null,"pattern_override":null,"story_callouts":null,"media":null,"featured_blog_post":null,"featured_event":null,"pdf_download":null,"blockquote":null,"author":null,"notice":null,"social_embed":null,"contact_card":null,"meta_details":null,"faq":null,"table":null},"yoast_head":"\n