Tips for Renewable Energy Staffing
When it comes to running a renewable energy company, we understand how difficult finding the right people to help you get the job done can be. That’s why we’re here to break down everything you need to know about hiring skilled tradesmen that will help you implement your renewable energy efforts.
What is a solar installer?
In order to hire the best prospective candidate for your solar installer role, you must first have a good understanding of what exactly solar installers do.
A solar installer is responsible for assembling solar panels that are there to turn solar energy into electricity.
Most of a solar installer’s job during the installation process includes the solar installer taking precise measurements to make sure that the solar panels will fit correctly in the space provided, and they adhere to any local building requirements.
Experience and expertise in the solar industry
One of the first questions you should ask when interviewing a prospective candidate is what their experience in the industry looks like. Make sure that they are able to demonstrate their familiarity with various types of solar systems and installation methods. It’s never a bad idea to see if they have examples of past projects that they can share with you before the interview.
Certifications and qualifications relevant to solar installation
Before even setting up an interview with your prospective solar installer, be sure that they hold relevant certifications and qualifications, such as NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification. This demonstrates their commitment to maintaining high industry standards.
Don’t be afraid to ask for examples of their work
Whether you ask them about their role on a past solar installation project or tell them you’d like to see some pictures of their work – you’ll be helping you and your company learn more about the prospective candidate and what they are capable of. Since solar installation is a newer need in the skilled trades industry, it’s okay to ask lots of questions and for work examples so you know that the candidate is knowledgeable in their craft.
Once you know their work is the real deal, reach out to their references
Let’s be real – it’s never a bad idea to reach out to a candidate’s reference list to get a better feel for who they are and how they work.
However, you do want to take this with a grain of salt since their reference list will likely be people that they know and trust to speak highly of them, meanwhile if you call their past employer (if they aren’t listed as a reference), the employer is only allowed to say when the candidate started and stopped working for them, and they cannot go into details.
To combat this, be sure to ask the candidate’s references very specific questions that will help you make an informed decision before hiring them. You can also do a quick Google search on the candidate to make sure nothing out of the ordinary comes up on them.
Don’t have the time to find solar installers for your renewable energy company?
Work with skilled trades staffing specialists.
In all honesty, finding the right solar installer(s) for your company can be extremely difficult, time consuming, and costly. When you work with skilled trades staffing specialists, like our recruiters at STP, you’ll get your time back and be able to grow your team with the right people.
At STP, we help companies like yours with staffing whether you’re looking for someone temporarily or long term.
We do everything from the initial search to the onboarding and we work with you to ensure you’re happy with the candidate every step of the way. Ready to take staffing off your to-do list? Contact us today!