A Chicago Tribune article highlights how YouthBuild Lake County is preparing young adults for careers in the rapidly expanding clean energy industry through a new solar panel installation training program. Based in North Chicago, YouthBuild Lake County has traditionally offered pre-apprenticeship training in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and electrical work. Now, the organization is helping participants enter one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields by teaching the skills needed to install solar energy systems.
The article follows the experiences of students like 20-year-old Juan Carrillo of Zion, Illinois, who completed the solar installation program and secured a full-time position with Arch Electric. Carrillo said the opportunity was meaningful not only because of the financial stability it offers, but also because he believes renewable energy can positively impact the environment and future generations.
YouthBuild Lake County is one of only three organizations nationwide selected by YouthBuild Global to pilot the solar certification initiative. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on field training, teaching participants how to safely mount solar panels, connect systems to electrical infrastructure, and work on both residential and commercial installations. The organization says the program helps underserved young adults gain access to stable, well-paying careers in a growing industry.
Executive Director Tameka Wilson explained that clean energy jobs grew at more than twice the rate of overall U.S. employment growth in recent years, making solar installation a valuable career pathway. Construction Superintendent Kingston Neal described the trade as a combination of carpentry and electrical work, requiring both technical precision and physical skill. Apprentices can begin earning around $25 per hour, with experienced installers capable of making up to $90,000 annually.
The article ultimately portrays the program as both a workforce development initiative and a community investment. By training young adults for renewable energy careers, YouthBuild Lake County is helping address labor shortages in the solar industry while creating economic opportunities for people from underserved communities.
