A New Energy in Atlanta: Atlanta’s Green Workforce Rises & IBT Participants Move From Learning to Doing

Momentum is building in Southwest Atlanta as week two of our inaugural GRID Alternatives Installation Basics Training (IBT) program continues to take shape! 

Led by Black Sustainability, Inc., in collaboration with fellow C.A.S.T. members, Ayika Solutions, Regen Community Advisory and national partner GRID Alternatives, the program reached a major milestone this week as 100% of participants successfully passed their OSHA 10 certification.

This achievement marks an important step forward in preparing trainees for safe, professional work environments within the growing clean energy sector.

With this foundation in place, the training officially transitioned from culturally-rooted sustainability education, clean energy policy, civic education and soft-skill development into hands-on application on May 26th. Participants moved beyond classroom instruction and began engaging directly with tools, equipment, and installation techniques that reflect real-world solar and energy efficiency work. The shift represents a critical phase in the program, where technical knowledge is reinforced through practice and repetition.

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Throughout the week, participants demonstrated increasing confidence as they applied core concepts introduced during the first phase of training, including safety protocols, system components, and foundational electrical principles. Instructors guided trainees through step-by-step processes, emphasizing precision, teamwork, and situational awareness, key competencies required on active job sites.

This cohort continues to emerge as a strong, collaborative learning community. Participants are actively supporting one another, asking questions, and building shared understanding as they progress through more advanced material. This peer-to-peer engagement is reinforcing both technical growth and group accountability, contributing to a productive and focused training environment.

The IBT 120 program is designed to connect metro-Atlanta residents with direct pathways into the clean energy workforce, including careers in solar installation, maintenance, and related technical fields. By combining industry-recognized certifications with hands-on experience, the initiative ensures participants are not only trained, but prepared to immediately enter the workforce with practical, in-demand skills:

• Job site safety

• Fall protection

• Array layout

• Racking installation

• Module level power electronics (MLPE) installation

• Module installation

• Electrical safety

• Electrical layout and mounting

• Conduit bending and installation

• Electrical wiring

As the program moves into the coming weeks, participants will continue to deepen their technical abilities while gaining further exposure to real-world applications and career opportunities. With a full week of soft skill development and a career panel under their belt, students have moved confidently into the second week of training at the Lifecycle Building Center. The successful completion of OSHA certification and the transition into hands-on training signal strong early momentum for this cohort and set the stage for continued progress in the weeks ahead! 

Cohort One after Solar Power Hour Panel Discussion with clean energy leaders; Dr. Reginald Parker, President & Chairman Freedman Green Bank Tonya Hicks, CEO of Power Solutions International and B.O.S.S., Emmanuel Kimathi, Owner, ProElectric and Amanda West, Regen Community.

We are so excited to witness this cohort continue to bloom, boom and prosper!

The future of Atlanta’s green leaders is in AMAZING HANDS! Join us in celebrating their success with a positive comment below.

Participants reflect on what they learned on day ONE! Follow their learning journey...