Flickr photo by Wayne National ForestCalifornia gives the green light to a new solar apprenticeship program.
California has approved and upheld the state’s first solar installation apprenticeship program.
The California Apprenticeship Council voted 13-4 to reject an appeal filed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to block the state’s approval of the program.
“It’s a relief,” said Jose Radzinsky, CEO of Renewable Power Solutions, a Bay Area solar-panel installation company.
“We can finally offer this program to workers,” Radzinsky said. “And once they finish, they’ll actually be recognized by state the of California as a solar journeyman.”
In 2008, Radzinsky set out to establish a two-year formal apprenticeship program for his employees.
And in 2009, the chief of state’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards approved Radzinsky’s application.
But the program immediately generated a swarm of controversy.
The electrical workers union fought the decision by citing AB 921 – legislation that allows unions to veto apprenticeship programs if they can show the service is already being provided.
Then the electrical workers union was challenged by other unions, including the roofers, laborers, sheet metal workers and plumbers for the rights to teach solar apprenticeships.
The program was also fought on technical details.
However, the apprenticeship council’s latest decision means Radzinsky’s program can now operate as a formal apprenticeship program.
He says he's about to register two or three apprentices and has 56 on the waiting list.
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