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Freedom Forever Achieves National Apprenticeship Standards Certification

In a landmark achievement, Freedom Forever, a prominent name in the world of residential solar installations, has officially received the National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS) certification from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship. This development was celebrated during National Apprenticeship Week, highlighting the company's commitment to fostering a skilled workforce in the renewable energy sector.

Launched in September 2024, Freedom Forever’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program is initiated in response to the growing workforce shortages in the renewable energy field. What makes this certification noteworthy is that Freedom Forever is the first residential solar installation firm to secure NGS certification for its electrical apprenticeship program, establishing a new benchmark for quality and standardization in the industry. This certification provides a nationally recognized framework to implement high-quality apprenticeship initiatives across all of Freedom Forever's locations, addressing specific state requirements while adhering to industry standards.

The NGS certification was made possible through collaborative efforts with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America (IWSI America). Together, they developed an RA Program that meets the standards set forth by the Department of Labor, focusing on critical areas such as residential electrical systems, solar technology, battery storage solutions, and the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). These partnerships were instrumental in ensuring the program's alignment with labor market demands and industry-specific needs.

Matthew Markham, Director of Electrical Applications at Freedom Forever, emphasized the importance of partnerships, stating, “Our program thrives due to the strong collaboration with federal and state apprenticeship agencies, alongside the insights and support from IREC’s ACE Network. This collective effort, which includes industry leaders like the Solar Energy Industry Association, fosters a shared vision of a sustainable energy future.”

The Importance of Registered Apprenticeships

In the current U.S. landscape, only about 0.3% of the workforce participates in registered apprenticeship programs. This statistic is significantly lower than the 2-3% seen in countries like Germany and the UK, where apprenticeships play an essential role in shaping the workforce. Freedom Forever’s RA Program aims to bridge this gap by offering participants a unique “earn-and-learn” model that equips them with recognized credentials while opening pathways for long-term careers in the electrical sector.

Key Features of the RA Program:

• - Structured Training: Combines technical instructions delivered in-house with practical, hands-on experiences across Freedom Forever's operations.
• - Inclusive Initiatives: Actively seeks to recruit talents from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), women's trade schools, and other underrepresented communities, thus widening access to these vital job opportunities.
• - Adaptability to Trends: One of the distinguishing features of the program is its focus on incorporating advanced technologies like battery storage systems and EV charger installations, ensuring that apprentices are well-prepared to meet evolving industry demands.

Markham added, “Our primary goal is to nurture a workforce capable of addressing the challenges posed by the rapidly changing clean energy industry. We are committed to quality, consistency, and inclusion, thereby establishing a model for workforce development while meeting the surging demand for sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, this initiative will serve as a foundation for fostering long-term employees and potential leaders within our organization.”

Program Impact and Future Plans

Since its inception, Freedom Forever's RA Program has successfully registered 30 apprentices in states like Maine, Texas, and New Jersey, with ambitions to expand into at least five more states by the end of this year. Looking ahead, the program aims to engage over 200 apprentices by 2028, aligning workforce capacity with growing needs in the clean energy sector.

For those interested in learning more about Freedom Forever’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and its dedication to developing a sustainable clean energy workforce, further details are available at freedomforever.com/careers.

About Freedom Forever

Established in 2011, Freedom Forever has positioned itself as a leader in residential solar installations, providing top-notch engineering, procurement, and construction services across the nation. With a richly experienced leadership team, the company has successfully installed over a gigawatt of solar capacity while operating in more than 36 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Employing over 3,000 team members, Freedom Forever is committed to delivering peace of mind to customers through its unique 25-year production guarantee, thus promoting sustainability and energy independence. For more information, visit freedomforever.com.