Freedom Forever has announced the adoption of its National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS) by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. This recognition marks a significant milestone in Freedom Forever’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program, which launched in September 2024 to address the critical renewable energy workforce shortage.
Freedom Forever is the first residential solar installation company to receive NGS certification for its electrical apprenticeship program. The NGS certification provides a nationally recognized framework for implementing high-quality apprenticeship programs at Freedom Forever facilities while meeting state-specific requirements.
Developed in partnership with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network and the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America (IWSI America), the RA program is aligned with Department of Labor to offer training in residential electrical systems, solar energy, battery storage and electric vehicle integration. These partnerships were essential to the success of the program, aligning it with Department of Labor standards and industry needs. ACE plays a key role by providing free technical support to help clean energy employers design, register, implement and scale RAPs.
“Our program thrives on strong partnerships with federal and state student agencies, as well as IREC’s ACE Network, a collaboration of industry leaders such as the Solar Energy Industry Association and IWSI America, who share a common vision for a sustainable energy future. says Matthew Markham, director of electrical applications at Freedom Forever.
Key benefits of the program include:
- Structured Training: Combines in-house technical instruction with hands-on learning at Freedom Forever facilities.
- Inclusive Initiatives: Focuses on inclusive recruitment by building pathways for talented applicants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), sex trafficking schools, and other communities that have had limited access to traditional opportunities.
- Adaptability: Integrates advanced technologies such as battery storage and EV charger installation to stay ahead of industry trends.
“Our program is focused on preparing a skilled workforce that can meet the challenges of the evolving clean energy industry. By prioritizing quality, consistency and inclusivity, we aim to set a standard for workforce development across the industry while meeting the growing demand for clean energy solutions. We also hope that this initiative will cultivate long-term employees and future leaders for our organization,” said Markham.
Since launching in September, the RA program has registered 30 students in Maine, Texas and New Jersey, with plans to register the program in at least five additional states by the end of the year. The initiative aims to engage more than 200 students by 2028 and help Freedom Forever meet the increasing demand for clean energy solutions.
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