Paonia, Colo., October 27, 2020 – Solar Energy International (SEI) and the Kenneth King Foundation announced today their partnership with support from GRID Alternatives Colorado to provide underserved Coloradans scholarships for solar skills job training, as well as performance-based stipends and support services to reduce the financial burden of pursuing career training and job placement support. 14 Coloradans living in the Denver Metro area will be eligible to receive 100% scholarship assistance, career resources, professional development, and job placement support between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 to help facilitate their professional development and eventual entry into the solar energy workforce.
Focused on improving Coloradans lives with access to meaningful employment, Kenneth King Foundation scholarships have emerged as a beacon of hope amidst a sea of troubling times, with the goal of removing barriers to employment and empowering soon-to-be solar energy experts with the necessary training and support to join a growing and secure solar workforce.
“Working with the Kenneth King Foundation is empowering Solar Energy International (SEI) to really invest in our students and get them on a path to success. We are so grateful for their support. We’re also thrilled to work with GRID Alternatives Colorado, who will lead the way in offering wrap-around service to students, from securing work clothes to applying for benefits,” said Marla Korpar, Development Director at SEI.
Those looking to apply for scholarship funding must be Coloradans living in the Denver Metro area on the verge of, formerly or currently homeless, unemployed, previously incarcerated, immigrants, refugees, single parents, low-income families, justice involved individuals, and or people with disabilities.
“The Kenneth King Foundation is proud to support SEI and GRID Alternatives Colorado as they open pathways towards livable wage jobs in tomorrow’s economy,” said Janice Fritsch, President at The Kenneth King Foundation.
Selected candidates will be awarded tuition funds and support services to cover SEI’s online training and find meaningful employment in the solar industry.
“The partnership between SEI, GRID, and the Kenneth King Foundation will afford top-notch solar education and career support for folks who have historically been the least likely to access it. We’re looking forward to clean energy careers being catalyzed through this holistic effort,” said Brittany Heller, Workforce & Community Engagement Manager at GRID CO.
For more information and to apply for a Kenneth King Foundation Scholarship, visit: https://www.solarenergy.org/scholarship-funds/
About Solar Energy International (SEI)
Solar Energy International (SEI) was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit educational organization with a vision of a world powered by renewable energy. As a leader in solar PV training worldwide, SEI is dedicated to building the global solar energy workforce. SEI has trained 80,000+ solar professionals from 145 countries worldwide who have been involved with over 10% of the world’s installed solar capacity to date. For more information, visit https://www.solarenergy.org.
About Kenneth King Foundation
Established in 1990, the Kenneth King Foundation is a private, grant-making organization. Located in Denver, Colorado, the Foundation’s mission is to perpetuate and expand the humanitarian principles developed by their late founder, Kenneth King. Today, they support organizations that provide basic needs, create jobs, and foster entrepreneurship. For more information, visit https://www.kennethkingfoundation.org.
About GRID Alternatives Colorado
GRID Alternatives Colorado is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives, a national leader in renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID Colorado develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID Colorado has installed over 7.5 MW of solar to date and helped households and housing providers save $27 million in lifetime electricity costs, while training over 1,400 people. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org/colorado.
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Media Contacts
Marla Korpar: marla@solarenergy.org | 970-527-7657 x208
Brittany Heller: bheller@gridalternatives.org | 720-943-5174
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