"Partnerships between Penn College and employers go both ways. Employers should be willing to invest time and effort to support the college and its students. Students need employer mentors who are willing to listen and provide sound advice outside of the classroom. Employers should be willing to invest in the curriculum and teachers by providing insight and guidance on the curriculum and its relevance to the industry."
Industry
Paradise Energy Solutions
- Electrical
Paradise Energy Solutions is a family-owned, full-service solar energy company serving businesses, farmers, and homeowners throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
They install PV solar energy systems, energy storage solutions, and EV chargers and have an in-house solar service team.
Industry Partnerships
Q&A with Paradise Energy Solutions
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE INDUSTRY YOU SERVE?
With solar, we're able to offer our customers a product that will help them save their hard-earned money and positively impact the environment.
WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT YOUR COMPANY'S CULTURE/MISSION?
I appreciate working with a great group of people in an encouraging environment. I also enjoy the ability to perform hands-on work at a competitive level of pay, with results you can see immediately in the form of a completed solar array.
HOW DID YOUR COMPANY FIRST CONNECT WITH PENN COLLEGE?
Members of our leadership team have worked with Penn College graduates at previous places of employment. We have found them to be well-trained and excellent team members. When we joined Paradise Energy Solutions, with the college's proximity to two of our branch locations, we felt there could be an opportunity to recruit Penn College graduates to Paradise Energy Solutions.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU VALUE MOST WHEN RECRUITING PENN COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ALUMNI?
The ability to start and finish a program. The basic skills they acquire in their program of study that they can bring to the workplace immediately without a lot of additional training. Finally, the ability to learn more complex tasks in the solar installation field much more quickly than an entry-level employee without any post-secondary education.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (AND PARENTS) WHO ARE CONSIDERING PENN COLLEGE?
Penn College is a great choice for your student, even the student who is more of a hands-on learner, as opposed to the student who learns well from lectures and reading. Your student will learn a trade and skill that will provide a good living wage for them to become independent and contributing members of society. Those students who have the aptitude and ability can continue on to a four-year degree program at any point in time after graduation or later in their career development.
Industry Connections
Rick Naranjo
VP of North Operations and Technical Training
Programs
Electrical
Learn all the ins and outs of electrical and automated systems, training in specialized labs using equipment just the pros.
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