HIRE360 AND PIVOT ENERGY CELEBRATED PIVOT SOLAR BOOT CAMP GRADUATION CEREMONY

Dwayne Pope joined by representatives of HIRE 360 and Pivot Energy, sharing a smile of joy after receiving his certificate of completion from the cohort 1 program workforce development initiative. The initiative was a collaboration of HIRE360 and Pivot Energy. Dwayne is one of ten (10) participants completing the 240-hour Solar Workforce Bootcamp Training Program. Photo courtesy of HIRE360.
Dwayne Pope joined by representatives of HIRE 360 and Pivot Energy, sharing a smile of joy after receiving his certificate of completion from the cohort 1 program workforce development initiative. The initiative was a collaboration of HIRE360 and Pivot Energy. Dwayne is one of ten (10) participants completing the 240-hour Solar Workforce Bootcamp Training Program. Photo courtesy of HIRE360.

HIRE360 AND PIVOT ENERGY CELEBRATED PIVOT SOLAR BOOT CAMP GRADUATION CEREMONY 

 

HIRE360, an Illinois-based workforce development nonprofit, in partnership with Pivot Energy, a national renewable energy independent producer, celebrated the graduation of Pivot Program Cohort 1, a workforce development initiative that helps people prepare for construction careers on clean energy projects. Pivot donated $180,000 for this training program and partnered with HIRE360 to co-design a 240-hour Solar Workforce Bootcamp Training Program in Chicago for 10 participants, which concluded on July 9, 2026. HIRE360 has a strong track record of connecting individuals from underrepresented communities to careers in the union construction and clean energy trades through workforce training, pre-apprenticeship programs, and employer partnerships.

The program combined a 160-hour comprehensive pre-apprenticeship curriculum approved by North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) with an 80-hour PV Associate Boot Camp developed and delivered by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), a NABCEP Registered PV Associate training provider. Pivot Energy and HIRE360 plan to continue this workforce training partnership into 2027, with another 10-person cohort planned.

The graduation ceremony, held at the HIRE360 Training Center on Chicago's South Side, recognized the accomplishments of 10 graduates who completed the program and are pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Family members, community and corporate partners, and industry leaders gathered to honor the graduates and celebrate the partnership that made the program possible.

"These graduates have put in the work, developed valuable skills, and are ready to help build Chicago's future on projects that harness clean energy," said Jay Rowell, Executive Director of HIRE360. "We're grateful to Pivot Energy for investing in this program and we look forward to seeing the impact these graduates will make in our communities throughout their careers."

The curriculum was taught through classes at HIRE360’s Training Center and included hands-on and off-site learning opportunities, where participants gained practical experience with solar energy systems and received a behind-the-scenes look at working in the clean energy trades.


"On behalf of Pivot Energy, I want to congratulate the graduates who have completed this training and are on their way to careers building our solar energy future. Pivot is proud to partner with Hire360 to make this possible,” said Liz Reddington, Vice President, Development, Pivot Energy. “Workforce development is a pillar of Pivot Energy’s community impact program and HIRE360's holistic approach and strong track record of placing residents in trade jobs make it a natural partner."

Graduates were recognized individually during the ceremony, which also featured remarks from HIRE360 and Liz Reddington, as well as a previous HIRE360 graduate’s success story highlighting the impact of the program.


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