{"id":7197,"date":"2022-08-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/working-better-life-reentry-through-solar-works-dc\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T17:06:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:06:50","slug":"working-better-life-reentry-through-solar-works-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/working-better-life-reentry-through-solar-works-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"Working For a Better Life in Reentry Through Solar Works DC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robert Richards, a native Washingtonian, says his 12-year old daughter is the greatest passion in his life. <\/p>\n

\u201cShe likes me to take her to cheerleader competitions, things of that nature \u2014 getting her hair done. She\u2019s real girly,\u201d Robert said. \u201cShe just wants to spend time with me. I\u2019ve been gone for 10 years. She loves spending time with me, and I love spending time with her.\u201d <\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Robert went with a friend to the DC Infrastructure Academy with a plan to sign up for a workforce training program. When he arrived, he saw the option to learn about solar workforce training and decided to join the Solar Works DC program then and there.<\/p>\n

That was one of the first steps in Robert\u2019s reentry process after spending the previous 10 years incarcerated on drug charges. He said his daughter influenced him to do something positive for his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want my life to be better so her life can be better, so she won\u2019t have to grow up like I grew up,\u201d Robert said. <\/p>\n

Over six weeks, Robert participated in a solar installation, which gave him a taste of what it might be like to work in the solar industry. He also received preparation to pass the NABCEP PV Associate exam, which demonstrates to employers that you have the skills necessary to work as a solar installer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time I spent in the program changed the way (I think about my career) because now I know that it\u2019s doable,\u201d Robert said. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time I got on the roof, got on the harness. I was comfortable up there. I seen the install. I thought it was going to be harder than what it is and I know I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert was a model trainee during the program, earning acclaim from his workforce training supervisors. They praised his work ethic, his punctuality, and his dedication\u2014over six weeks, he showed up to every class on time, took diligent notes, and asked many questions. <\/p>\n

\u201cBob was laid back in his own style\u2014when the program first started, he was quiet,\u201d said Michael Gaskins, GRID Mid-Atlantic workforce training supervisor. \u201cOnce he got the feel for everybody, he started to become more talkative. He took the whole program serious. Once the ice was broken, he was cool as ice.\u201d <\/p>\n

On graduation day, GRID Mid-Atlantic\u2019s training supervisors presented Robert a gift to acknowledge his hard work in the program: a power drill with attachments, a hammer, and a pry bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it was an opportunity for me because I saw solar as the future,\u201d Robert said about Solar Works DC. \u201cThere\u2019s so much and I\u2019m just trying to learn as much as I can. Even though I just started, I\u2019m really trying to learn and I guess when I get more experience I can really see what I really like. But I want to learn everything about the business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Solar<\/p>\n

Learn more about Solar Works DC and how to apply!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Solar Works DC is part of DOEE\u2019s Solar for All program<\/a>. Solar for All seeks to provide the benefits of solar energy to 100,000 low-income households and reduce their energy bills by 50% by 2032. The program, which was established by the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Expansion Amendment Act of 2016, is funded by the Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF).<\/em><\/h6>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Robert Richards, a native Washingtonian, wanted to make a better life for himself and his daughter. He signed up for Solar Works DC as part of his reentry process, which showed him a career in solar is “doable.”<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6025,"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":[65],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-7197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","content-type-news","focus-area-job-training","region-mid-atlantic"],"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":"\nWorking For a Better Life in Reentry Through Solar Works DC - GRID Alternatives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Robert Richards, a native Washingtonian, wanted to make a better life for himself and his daughter. 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