Paid training program supports city’s climate agenda, provides opportunity for residents
BOSTON — The acronym SHINE stands for Solar Helping Ignite Neighborhood Economies.
The work training program, spearheaded by global nonprofit Rare and run locally by ABCD, is offered to residents seeking opportunities in the solar industry.
Ronald Marlow, a representative from ABCD, said the 13-week job training program can also open doors to other clean energy jobs.
“If you have the foundation, you get to try out what you’re really interested in,” he said. “You can pivot after going into the industry.”
Boston has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. That will require thousands to join the growing green workforce.
Instructor Carlos Antunes said graduates are job-ready, proficient in solar installation and system design, and OSHA-certified.
Participant Steven Julien-Stewart said at first, the material was complicated, but he received plenty of support.
“With anything that you’re working towards, it’s going to have a wall at first, but as long as you’re willing to get through the wall or get over the wall, you’ll get through it,” he said.
The program comes at no cost; in fact, Marlow said the participants are paid to learn.
“We know that absent a stipend, many people are forced to make tough choices between trying to figure out how to put food on the table versus how to figure out training for that next job,” he said. “This allows them not to worry about the former and satisfy the latter.”
