Illinois' solar industry job training program demonstrates success
In the heart of Illinois, the city of Alton has undergone a transformation, shedding its former industrial and commercial identity to embrace a new era of clean energy and economic opportunities. This metamorphosis is largely thanks to the efforts of Kyle Barber, a local resident who has dedicated his career to promoting renewable energy and job creation.
Barber's journey began in 1996, when he started working at the Captain coal mine at the tender age of 15. However, his fascination with clean energy was sparked much earlier, when he won a grade school contest for designing a solar canopy. This early interest led him to a new path, one that would ultimately change the course of Alton's future.
After graduating from college, Barber founded his own solar company, EFS, in 2010. But his ambitions didn't stop there. He cofounded a nonprofit, Solar Workforce Development, to teach courses on solar and other aspects of the industry at CEJA workforce hubs.
The Scott Bibb Center at Lewis and Clark Community College in Alton is one of 14 clean energy jobs hubs created by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Under CEJA, students at the college can choose from four tracks: solar, energy efficiency, HVAC/ heat pumps, and a Climate Works pre-apprenticeship program. Since launching last fall, the school's program has graduated 57 students in 10 cohorts, with a remarkable 95% graduation rate.
The program prioritizes job creation and clean energy deployment in communities like Alton, which were historically excluded from economic opportunities. The success of the program is evident in the number of local businesses that have hired its graduates. Eight companies have already done so, including a solar company founded by one of Barber's proteges, Austin Frank. Frank, who installed a 100-kilowatt array on the Bibb Center roof, has hired multiple graduates from Lewis and Clark Community College.
Richie Darling, another of Barber's proteges, was named manager of the Alton CEJA hub based at Lewis and Clark Community College. The hub provides funding for students to help reduce barriers such as car repairs, bus passes, electric bills, and child care for a full year after graduation. In Alton, Senior Services Plus administers this aid.
The transformation of Alton is not limited to the education sector. The city is now home to trendy breweries, restaurants, and antique stores that attract visitors from the St. Louis area. This revitalization is a testament to the potential of clean energy to drive economic growth and community development.
A proposal has been made to build a solar farm on the site of the former Wood River coal plant, located near Alton. If realised, this project would further solidify Alton's position as a leader in renewable energy.
Kyle Barber's story is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future. His legacy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of clean energy professionals in Alton, Illinois.
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