Florida’s solar apprenticeship program builds skilled workforce for a growing industry

As solar energy continues to surge as one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries, Florida has positioned itself at the forefront of developing a skilled workforce ready to meet the demand.

A first-of-its-kind solar apprenticeship program, launched through a partnership between the Florida Solar Energy Center ( FSEC ) and the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association ( FlaSEIA ), is helping to train and certify the next generation of solar professionals while keeping jobs and economic benefits in the Sunshine State.

For years, industry leaders sought to create a formal training pathway for solar workers. Historically, the U.S. Department of Labor did not classify solar as an “apprenticeable trade,” arguing that solar job tasks overlapped with existing construction-related ap