In the past two months, our Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge (COK) program has continued to see very encouraging growth. Another 5 institutions have been approved to administer the PV Entry Level COK exam:

• The Austin JATC in Austin, Texas
• The Waco Campus of Texas State Technical Colleges in partnership with Adven, LLC
• The Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, LA
• IEC Chesapeake Apprenticeship & Training with facilities in MD & VA
• The Central County Occupational Center in San Jose, CA

NABCEP currently has 84 institutions offering the Entry Level course and exam, and since the beginning of 2009, an additional 427 test takers successfully passed the exam and received their Certificate of Knowledge from NABCEP.

The Entry Level programs growth is still steady thanks to a greater number of providers. We are seeing great growth yet many individuals seeking to participate in our Entry Level Program often can’t find a provider in their immediate area. If that is the case, please encourage local accredited educational institutions to contact Timothée Néron-Bancel at tneron-bancel@nabcep.org about how they can become providers of the Entry Level COK Exam and prepare the next generation of green collar workers.

Students continue to expand the ranks of successful participants in NABCEP’s Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge of Solar PV Systems Program.  There are now over 1,340 students who have obtained the Certificate of Knowledge of Solar PV Systems.  There are over 80 approved Entry Level Service Providers that provide courses addressing key learning objectives related to solar PV systems (specified on NABCEP’s website) and offer students the opportunity to take the Certificate of Knowledge examination.

NABCEP has heard from numerous employers about the value that companies gain from hiring employees who have obtained the Entry-Level Certificate of Knowledge of Solar PV Systems, and the benefit gained when existing employees pursue this Certificate.  The PV Entry Level Certificate Program provides a strong foundation for those entering the PV industry and for those wishing to become certified installers in the future.  Many employers have mentioned to NABCEP that they prefer that the company’s employees and new recruits obtain the Entry-Level Certificate as a demonstration of basic understanding of the renewable energy market, system sizing, electricity and mechanical design considerations, and safety measures.  The Entry-Level Certificate of Knowledge is serving to “pre-qualify” renewable energy employees and filling the workforce pipeline with knowledgeable candidates.