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OGDEN — It was a special day for a group of Utah veterans at Hill Air Force Base. Eighteen men and women received their certifications Friday to begin a new career in the field of solar energy.
They’re the first to graduate from a program President Barack Obama announced in Utah nearly one year ago. The Solar Ready Vets program is designed to help military vets transition to civilian jobs after their military careers end.
“It was a great course. It was tough at times, but the way that it was taught, it was very beneficial for me and a lot of my classmates,” said Sr. Airman Clarence Gleton, who graduated Friday.
HAFB is one of 10 military bases in the country participating Solar Ready Vets. The group at Hill took their eight-week, 150-hour certification course at Salt Lake Community College.
“We’re partnering with community colleges, like the great Salt Lake Community College that’s offering the job skills training and working with the industry to ensure that the vets have jobs,” said Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood Randall, deputy U.S. Secretary of Energy.
Why solar? When the president announced the program last year, he said that job sector is one of the fastest growing in the nation.
Most of those who graduated Friday said they hope to stay in Utah. After all, there are a number of solar energy companies here.
