During RE+ Texas in Houston, on the morning of May 14, 2025, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, invite solar and clean energy companies to gather at our Apprenticeship & Workforce Briefing & Networking Power Hour to learn about industry apprenticeship trends and connect with organizations that can support companies in meeting the Inflation Reduction Act's Registered Apprenticeship requirements and additional workforce needs.
Registered Apprenticeship programs are rapidly becoming a crucial tool for supporting a more robust, diverse, and rapidly expanding solar and clean energy workforce. All types of solar and clean energy companies and organizations are welcome to attend this FREE event to explore the registered apprenticeship space and meet with potential workforce partners.
This two hour event will kick off with a Briefing on Solar & Clean Energy Apprenticeship Trends and a Fireside Chat Discussion with a couple of solar companies about their apprenticeship challenges and successes. Then we will move into our Networking Power Hour for solar and clean energy companies to connect with apprenticeship and workforce organizations that can support them in joining an apprenticeship program, launching an apprenticeship program, or expanding the candidate pool for apprenticeship programs and other career opportunities.
AGENDA
9:30 – 9:50 am - Welcome & Solar & Clean Energy Apprenticeship Trends Briefing
- Richard Lawrence, Senior Director, Sr. Director, Workforce & Industry Engagement, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
9:50 - 10:30 am - Fireside Chat with Employers: Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities in Apprenticeship
- Kendra Bailey, Director of IRA and Workforce Compliance, Gridworks
- Andrew Vidal, Senior Electrical Applications Engineer, Freedom Forever
- Moderator: Beck Long, Director of Workforce Services & Apprenticeship, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
10:30 - 11:30 am - Networking Power Hour
- Open networking with event attendees moving around the room to talk with partner organizations.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations invited to host a networking table include: (please note not all organizations are confirmed to participate at this time):
- ACE - Apprenticeships in Clean Energy Network (led by IREC & SEIA)
- U.S. Dept. of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship
- ACS - Adaptive Construction Solutions
- IEC - Independent Electrical Contractors of Texas
- Houston Community College
- Texas State Technical College
- IBEW – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- LIUNA – Laborers’ International Union of North America
- UBC – United Brotherhood of Carpenters
- IUOE - International Union of Operating Engineers
- HBI - Home Builders Institute (Pre-apprenticeships)
- GRID Alternatives & Goodwill (Training)
- Green Careers Texas (Training)
- TBD additional training & pre-apprenticeship, and workforce development organizations
This Apprenticeship & Workforce Briefing & Networking Power Hour event is free for all attendees. Holding a pass to RE+ Texas is not required to attend. However, attendees are encouraged to consider purchasing a pass to RE+ Texas in order to take full advantage of opportunities to make connections. There will be no virtual component of this event.
About RE+ Texas:
RE+ Texas will take place on May 13 - 14, 2025 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. RE+ Texas will attract 2,500+ attendees from companies working throughout the state. The show floor/exhibit hall will feature 180+ exhibitors with a range of companies offering products and services in the industry. Registering and attending RE+ Texas is a great way to check out a variety of technologies (solar, energy storage, hydrogen, EV infrastructure, and grid edge) and learn about business opportunities, workforce needs, and state policy and trends. For more details on this event, please click here for the 2024 RE+ Texas Post Show Report.
Parking: Off-site self-parking available is at Avenida North Garage - 701 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77010 (more parking options here) and public transportation info is available here.
