The growth in demand for green energy has been good news for Yucaipa-based Smart Solar Power.
The electric solar power installer has seen a 40 percent increase in sales since 2013 resulting in the need to hire more staff.
Owner Don Young was alerted about the no-cost recruitment and training services offered by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and made inquiries.
“I was surprised to hear that my company would be reimbursed for the cost of training new employees during their first three months of employment. That is a huge benefit for a small company like ours, both from an operational and financial point of view.”
Within the last year, Don has hired two solar panel installers and two office processors through the WIB’s On-the-Job Training program.
The federally funded On-the-Job Training program provides partial wage reimbursement for the designated training period, usually the first 90 days of employment. The goal is to help alleviate the financial burden that often accompanies hiring new employees, thereby supporting company growth.
Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director for the Workforce Investment Board commented, “It is wonderful to see small companies like Smart Solar Power enjoying a sales increase in a difficult competitive market and we are glad to be helping Mr. Young expand his business.”
Smart Solar Power employs a total of 12 staff and installs solar panels on both residential and commercial properties across the Inland Empire. Don Young credits the company’s success to its friendly, family-approach and passion for good customer service, instead of the hard sales strategy that many solar electric firms take. “The business is doing well and I feel we have been blessed,” said Young.
For information about the County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board’s no-cost programs for businesses and residents, contact (800) 451-JOBS or visit www.csb-win.org.