Ottawa pledges training support for solar industry.(IN BRIEF)

The federal government wants to work with the solar industry to develop its future workforce.

Ottawa is collaborating with the Electricity Sector Council to develop new occupational standards for solar equipment installers. The feds promised support to the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to develop a national curriculum for designers and installers of solar energy system.

Courses will include design and installation for commercial and residential solar hot water systems and for various applications and sizes of photovoltaic systems.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt delivered the news at the Canadian Solar Industries Association annual conference in Toronto, Dec. 8.

"The projects our government is supporting today will help us reach our goal of having 90 per cent of Canada's electricity derived from non-emitting resources by 2020."

Natural Resources Canada is partnering with the Canadian Solar Industries Association in developing an occupational skills profile for the solar industry. It will provide a framework for the development of a curriculum to develop workers.

No dollar figures were announced but money is coming the government's Eco Energy Renewable Heat Program.

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