CANTON -- Twenty-three Army personnel stationed at Fort Drum graduated from the fourth U.S. Department of Energy's national Solar Ready Vets training program Aug. 30.

Since the program began in January, 83 students have successfully completed the five-week course, which is taught by SUNY Canton's Career Ready Education and Success Training (CREST) Center for Workforce Development. The program aims to offer hands-on training to military personnel who are transitioning from active duty to civilian professions.

Graduates have a 20-percentage point higher pass rate on the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Photovoltaic entry-level exam, compared to the national average. Veterans are now working in the field as installers, sales representative and project managers for national and regional companies such as Solar City, SunPower, High Peaks Solar and Level Solar.

"Solar Ready Vets has opened a career opportunity that I had no prior knowledge of," said Army veteran and program graduate William Harvey. "The excellent education I received from SUNY Canton's instructors led to several employment offers in different areas of the solar field."

The program is a collaboration among the U.S. Department of Energy, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Fort Drum, SUNY Canton and solar installation companies. NYSERDA provided support for the program startup costs, including curriculum development and training for the first five cohorts. There is no cost for Fort Drum personnel to participate in the first five classes.

The Solar Ready Vets program is nationally administered by the Solar Foundation. To learn more, visit www.canton.edu/crest, www.solarreadyveterans.org or contact Kevin McAdooat mcado101@canton.edu.