On a particularly hot and humid early August morning in Lafayette, 11 Parole Project clients wearing white hard hats gathered around a raised platform of solar panels, working together to disconnect one of the panels (technically referred to as units) and reconnect it.
Troy, who spent 31 years in prison, was in the center of it all. When he was asked if he wanted to participate in the program a few weeks earlier it didn’t take him long to answer.
“I responded ‘Yes’ immediately,” he said. “I need job training, and this is the beginning of the path for me. And it’s been awesome. I’m learning things I never knew about like how important solar energy is and how different energy can come in from the sun and how you can capture it for another time. My favorite has been all the hands-on training but really, I love all of it. I’m hungry to learn.”
At 9 a.m. the heat from the sun was brutal. It reflected off the panels and the students consistently wiped sweat from their faces as they shimmied underneath the solar units to triage and solve the issue.
Al Matt, an instructor with the program, stood nearby, empowering the clients to problem solve on their own.
“The brainpower here is incredible and their retention skills are outstanding,” Matt said. “They are enthusiastic hard workers who are naturally figuring out who is leading each task. Nobody’s egos are getting in the way.”
In June, faculty from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Center program met with Parole Project’s Employment Enhancement Program (EEP) staff in Baton Rouge to lay the groundwork for collaboration. In August, ULL officially partnered with Parole Project to offer hands-on training in manufacturing, residential construction, and solar energy – equipping clients with in-demand skills and forging pathways to meaningful employment.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our clients,” said Tim Wilkinson, EEP project manager. “Partnering with ULL allows us to further expand client opportunities while meeting Louisiana’s workforce needs.”
This partnership is also part of the H2theFuture initiative that builds on efforts by Parole Project and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to raise awareness around clean energy careers and expand opportunities for those preparing to reintegrate into society. The ULL and Parole Project collaboration is possible through a Department of Labor grant and is intended to fill the labor gap in the workforce, ULL officials said.
Peng “Solomon” Yin, director of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Center at ULL estimates that within the next three to five years, there will be 2,000 new jobs in solar, construction, and manufacturing.
“There is a need for this and right now that need is being filled by out of state workers,” Yin said. “If we can offer a class and get the students the skills they need and possibly get them hired, then when they are done, they could have a job instead of just a certificate.”
For two weeks, Parole Project clients traveled from Baton Rouge to Lafayette to get the hands-on training. They spent half of the day in the field and the other half in the classroom, in rows of four, taking notes from their instructor, Matt, asking questions, and working on math problems. They were engaged and eager to learn.
“I love anything having to do with education,” said Warren, a Parole Project client with construction experience and certifications, who spent 17 years in prison. “I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to come here. I’m learning a lot about the technical aspects and safety aspects of solar.”
“I’m learning something new, and I can add it to my toolbox,” said Andrew, another client who completed the 19th Judicial District Reentry Court program in Baton Rouge. “I have a background in electrical and HVAC, and both of those skills have helped me here.”
