RIVERSIDE, CA— GRID Alternatives Inland Empire (GRID IE) has been awarded Training Provider Accreditation for its IBT 200 Solar Installation Basics Training program from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).
An IREC credential is a nationally recognized mark of quality training in the clean energy industry. Students, employers, funders, and other stakeholders look for the IREC mark to find high-quality training that meets safety requirements and is aligned with industry needs.
“We pursued IREC accreditation to ensure our regional training meets the highest national standards and to demonstrate our commitment to preparing Inland Empire residents for clean energy careers,” said Cindy Corrales, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Workforce Development Director. “This recognition validates the quality of our IBT 200 program and strengthens our ability to prepare trainees for life-changing opportunities in the solar industry.”
GRID’s industry-vetted Installation Basics Training 200-hour program (IBT 200), aligned with the NABCEP PV Installer Specialist Job Task Analysis, trains solar workers with a comprehensive combination of interactive classroom learning, hands-on lab activities, and real-world installation experience. GRID Alternatives launched its IBT 200 program early in 2019 after many years of offering informal training on the roof to thousands of individuals and volunteers who supported community projects. GRID IE launched IBT 200 in the Inland Empire in 2023.
“IREC developed its accreditation program to recognize high-quality training opportunities and close the skills gap between education providers and industry needs,” said Cynthia Finley, IREC Vice President for Workforce Strategy and Innovation. “We congratulate GRID Alternatives Inland Empire for meeting the high standards required to achieve IREC accreditation.”
As one of the leading accrediting bodies for clean energy training in the United States, IREC’s high standards and rigorous application process require applicants to demonstrate a robust approach to quality in all major areas of training program operations. IREC has accredited over 200 clean energy and home energy performance training programs and certified over 100 clean energy instructors.
As the clean energy economy grows rapidly, employers urgently need to locate and hire well-qualified workers. IREC credentials help job seekers locate high-quality training opportunities that prepare them to enter the clean energy workforce and help employers identify quality talent.
Learn more about IREC credentialing and quality assurance at https://irecusa.org/clean-energy-training/credentials/.
