Two-thirds of solar installation firms report that difficulty finding qualified applicants is increasing costs and impacting their ability to grow, according to a new research report released by The Solar Foundation, national administrator of the Solar Training Network. The report also shows that increased investment in post-hire training could reduce labor costs and save the industry more than $10 million annually.

Oregon is among the top five states with the highest reported difficulty hiring qualified workers, as reported by solar employers surveyed. According to the survey, Oregon is expected to have steady job growth in coming years, which could lead to increased difficulty hiring if nothing else changes.

“With more than 51,000 new solar jobs in the United States in 2016 alone, employers are facing the challenge of hiring qualified candidates to fill open positions,” said Andrea Luecke, president and executive director of The Solar Foundation. “Our research finds that making strategic investments in training can help the industry save millions of dollars and ultimately pass the reduced costs on to consumers.”

For more information, read the full report online. Some key findings include:

• Installers who invest more in training have lower labor costs which can lower overall installation costs.
• A residential rooftop installation that has been improperly installed can lead to call-backs for additional removal, repair and reinstallation—costing between $2,500 and $7,500.
• Training and advancement opportunities are primary drivers of employee satisfaction, which can reduce employee turnover and improve productivity.

If you are an employer looking to hire qualified solar workers—or a job seeker looking for a job in the solar industry—register online at www.SolarTrainingUSA.org to take part in the online solar career platform designed to match job candidates with training and career opportunities.

Energy Trust offers solar technical training courses for Oregon solar employers and job seekers. Go to the Energy Trust Trade Ally event calendar or the Oregon Solar Energy Industries events calendar to find the next available training course near you.