Education & Skills
WFWE EXCLUSIVE
- The solar energy industry is new and evolving, research suggests there is no set standard or consistent use of occupational titles or specific required education and skills
- Information found suggests that depending on the occupation and available workers more or less education and skills could be required, for many occupations the job market is undefined
- Types of educational requirements can include university degree, college diploma or trade certification
- Types of skills or knowledge requirements can include solar theory, power systems, project management, electrical (especially DC as well as AC), mechanical, structural, environmental assessment and general “system” awareness
- Some solar energy related occupations offering employment opportunities require education and skills which are traditional to the occupation like a system designed but require additional knowledge or skills primarily related to solar, power systems or renewable energy. Examples would be systems designer, electrical engineer and project manager.
Producing Electricity
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations. These career profiles provide insights about potentially required education and skills.
Click here to view the career profile for solar designer
Click here to view the career profile for Electrician solar installation and maintenance
Click here to view the career profile for Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Another source providing descriptions of solar energy occupations is the Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook (pages 8–11). While this is a U.S. based resource and presents occupational titles and information different from other sources, the information provided is helpful. Click here to view.
Key Informant Interviews – Comments from sources interviewed include:
- The labour market in Ontario for the design and installation of photovoltaic technology is in its infancy stage but will evolve quickly
- The labour market in Ontario for solar array design is new and undefined in terms of requirements. Education in electrical engineering or 3 year college energy systems engineering/design programs was identified as beneficial. The qualifications of this occupation are expected to become more established and clearly defined within the next few years
- Electricians were identified as having ideal occupational experience. It is very beneficial if the electrician has experience with both DC and AC power
- The labour market for an installer is new and is considered to be undefined in terms of required qualifications. Electrical apprenticeships, roofers or workers with varied installation experience were identified as having marketable occupational experience. Physical fitness and no fear of heights was an identified employment criteria
- Quality in design and installation was identified as an industry issue and goal
- A focus on safety was identified as important
- The industry is looking to create national standards through training and certification; however, currently there are no clear standards. The U.S. market has a form of standard through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and information suggests aspects of NABCEP are being considered for the Canadian market. Standards in certification could unfold in the next 6 – 12 months
Producing Heat
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations. These career profiles provide insights about required education and skills.
Click here to view the career profile for solar designer
Click here to view the career profile for Solar Thermal Installer
Key Informant Interviews – Comments from sources interviewed include:
- HVAC technicians, plumbers and pipe fitters were identified as having beneficial occupational experience
Manufacturing Equipment
Some skills and knowledge that are required to manufacture equipment include CNC machining, welding, drilling, milling, device fabrication, reading blueprints, diagrams, instruments and operation instructions, fabricating, assembling, use of machine shop tools and equipment.
The Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook [page 8] does provide some education and skills requirement information for solar hot water heater manufacturing technician, PV fabrication & testing technician, solar lab technician and solar fabrication technician. While this is a U.S. based resource the information provided is helpful.
Click here to view.
How to Begin a Career in Renewable Energy
