Apprenticeships: An Opportunity for Solar and Storage Companies

Updated July 2025

As solar and battery storage installations become even more popular across residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects, employers are facing a pressing need for skilled workers to meet the rising demand. One excellent way to bring on qualified workers is through a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) for key solar occupations.  Solar and storage employers are turning to apprenticeships as a proven and effective way to hire and retain top talent.

The Power of Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a career path that includes on-the-job training under the supervision of a mentor. Individuals also receive related technical instruction (in person or virtually) from a community college, a technical school, or an apprenticeship training school—or by the business itself. Most apprenticeships take two or more years to complete, with construction trades often taking four or five years. 

Upon the completion of an apprenticeship, the individual is issued a nationally recognized credential that recognizes them as a skilled practitioner for the occupation. Through apprenticeship programs, employers cultivate a skilled and loyal workforce tailored to their specific needs, while reducing training costs and increasing productivity. 

Why Apprenticeships in Solar Energy?

In solar, apprenticeships are one of the primary career paths for in-demand roles such as Electricians. Many other jobs are highly technical and can benefit from the hands-on, up-to-date training in technical and safety skills. Apprenticeships can bring local job creation, higher retention, job satisfaction, and economic development to the solar and storage industry.

Key Apprenticeable Occupations in the Solar Industry

An occupation must be recognized as “apprenticeable” by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to be eligible for a Registered Apprenticeship program. These occupations are industry-vetted and approved to ensure alignment with industry standards, in-demand occupations, and training and experience requirements. Some common job roles in solar construction and their apprenticeable equivalents are:

An electrician is listed as an apprenticeable occupation along with many sub-fields. Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Learn more about the job role for Electricians. 

Solar Installers can be hired as Construction Craft Laborer apprentices. Solar Installers set up and maintain the sophisticated equipment and wiring that connects a solar energy system to the electrical grid. Learn more about Solar Installers here. For the Construction Craft Labor occupation, we've developed National Guideline Standards that companies and organizations can use as a template to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs in the solar industry. Download the National Guideline Standards here.

Equipment Operators can be hired as Heavy Equipment Operator apprentices. Equipment Operators are responsible for operating various types of construction equipment for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. Learn more about Equipment Operators.

There are many other careers in the solar industry outside of construction and manufacturing, including in sales, design, customer service, information technology, and much more. All these fields have apprenticeship opportunities. You can learn more and explore the variety of solar industry occupations at the IREC Solar Career Map.  

Getting Started With an Apprenticeship Program

If you’re a company looking to get started with a Registered Apprenticeship program, read our Registered Apprenticeships toolkit to learn more about how to either start your own program or join a group program led by an association, labor union, or other organization.  

State apprenticeship agencies and the federal DOL offer other resources and assistance.

Connect Now

Find Registered Apprenticeship programs in your area, including employers, training programs, and opportunities for employers to join a group-sponsored apprenticeship program. Visit our Connect Now page to learn more.