Solar Panels. Undated Photo |
THORNTON—
As Gov. Bill Ritter and a large group of dignitaries celebrated the grand opening of Ascent Solar here and the 200 new jobs its expansion will create, company officials explained exactly what kind of applicants they'll be looking for."We're certainly looking for people, if possible, with a technical engineering background," said Ascent's Bruce Berkoff. "If you've been in things like material manufacturing, or semiconductor manufacturing, then it's a lot of the same equipment you'll be using in solar manufacturing."
Companies like Ascent continue to locate and grow in Colorado not just because of the state's abundant wind and solar resources, but also because of it's educated workforce. But that workforce is also being forced to adapt to an economy that is changing at lightning speed.
"This New Energy Economy offers people here so much hope," said Rep. Judy Solano, D-Thornton. "This is a field that is growing right here in our state and our workforce is poised to take advantage of it, even if that means you have to get some re-training."
That re-training is available just a few miles from Ascent's new headquarters at Front Range Community College in Westminster, which offers seminars specifically designed for people wanting to work for companies like Ascent and Vestas, the wind turbine manufacturer growing its Brighton-based operations by more than 1,300 employees.
"When it comes for looking for a job, the people who are the most successful are the ones who invest themselves into it," said Chris Kline, who runs the Adams County Economic Development Workforce, which helps job-seekers polish their resumes and find the training programs that will get them the best jobs. "It's not a matter anymore of just submitting as many resumes as you can," Kline said. "It's about networking, being out there and letting people know you're looking for a job and that you're qualified for that specific job."
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