HeatSpring for Teams

Registered Apprenticeship Programs

HeatSpring helps solar companies comply with new industry apprenticeship requirements and build repeatable systems for upskilling and growing great people. Let’s create your Registered Apprenticeship Program plan together.

Unlock Tax Credits

Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) include apprenticeship requirements for solar projects (above 1 megawatt in size) in order to access the full value of the tax credits.

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Excel at Workforce Development

The best and brightest companies see these new requirements as an opportunity to build a foundation for growth.

Join 17,053 companies including 250 of the fastest growing solar companies already using HeatSpring for technical training and workforce development.

HeatSpring is a NABCEP Registered Provider and NABCEP PV Associate Provider.

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HeatSpring for Teams

Registered Apprenticeship Program is part of HeatSpring for Teams plan which includes discounts up to 40% off. In addition you get access to a team dashboard and other exclusive features.

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Frequently asked questions

How specifically does HeatSpring help solar companies with Registered Apprenticeship Programs?

We'll send you a formal quote for whatever you need help with - fill out this form to start the process.

  1. Integration services. $500/state
    • Schedule & meet with state office
    • Identify apprenticeable occupation
    • Customize work process schedule
    • Help prepare registration paperwork
    • Visualize ongoing resources needed to run the program
  2. Ongoing administration & Compliance (Quoted Separately)
  3. Wrap-around services, including help with: (Quoted Separately)
    • Recruiting
    • Accessing workforce development funding
    • PR
    • Instructor development
For details and pricing, begin the conversation by filling out this form or emailing Brian Hayden (bhayden@heatspring.com).
How can I learn more about starting a Registered Apprenticeship Program for my company?

Start with this free course: "How to Start Your Registered Apprenticeship Program"

It's a great orientation to RAPs for the solar industry. 

What’s the easiest way to comply with the new solar apprenticeship requirements?

If your company has at least four employees and you work on projects bigger than 1 MW, then apprenticeships are a part of your life whether you like it not.

Some companies are embracing the benefits of apprenticeships and going beyond the minimum requirements. They are using learning paths as a way to upskill their teams and retain employees for longer.

But what if you want to do the easiest and quickest option for complying with the requirements?

Outsource to partners! You can find an existing apprenticeship standard that closely matches your needs, and work with an existing sponsor. Depending on where you’re located, this could be: an Industry Associations, Sector Partnership Joint Labor-Management Organizations, Educational or Training Providers, Community Organization, Chambers, or Other Workforce Intermediaries.

If you need help finding a sponsor to partner with, submit a request here. We’ll either be that partner or point you in the right direction.

What are the benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship Program?
  • Financial incentives – Solar projects larger than 1MW are required to have 10% of the labor performed by qualified apprentices. That increases to 15% by 2024.
  • Effective Recruitment Tool – Attractive to job seekers looking to transition to a new industry and young workers looking to start a career in the trades. Note: Military veterans may utilize GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance benefits to supplement their income earned as an apprentice in a RAP.
  • Retain Workers – Reduced employee turnover
  • Diversity – “Earn while you learn” model can reduce barriers for diverse candidates and credential supports advancement; Diversity goals are required for program registration
  • Demonstrate Qualification – Can be used to document worker qualification and meet licensing requirements (ex. electricians)

Source: SEIA

Does HeatSpring's platform support the creation of a Registered Apprenticeship Program?

Yes. We can help you design a registered apprenticeship program, find partners, and even provide administrative support so you don't have to hire people to do this work.

More than 500 of the top solar companies use HeatSpring's Team Dashboard to provide pathways to NABCEP certification and career development for employees. Sometimes that means a registered apprenticeship program, but more frequently this can be a more informal employee development plan that includes training and certification that maps to a career path as defined by your company.

Does HeatSpring offer apprenticeship opportunities for job seekers?

No, HeatSpring's apprenticeship packages help employers create and run apprenticeship programs for their employees.

When we meet job seekers looking to make a transition into the solar industry we offer them more than a hundred free courses, and direct them to industry events for networking and their local workforce development office for funding and training grants.

What are the best resources for learning more about Registered Apprenticeship Programs?
What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)?

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) aim to prepare workers for jobs while meeting the needs of businesses for a highly skilled workforce. It is an “earn while you learn” model that combines on-the-job learning under the supervision of a mentor, job experience, and classroom/online related instruction.

  • Paid Job: Apprentices are paid employees who produce high-quality work while they learn skills that enhance their employers' needs. There are progressive increases in an apprentice’s skills and wages.
  • On-the-Job Learning: Develops skilled workers through structured learning in a work setting.
  • Classroom Learning: Improves job-related skills through instruction in a classroom setting (virtual or in-person).
  • Mentorship: Provides apprentices with the support of a skilled worker to assist and enhance critical hands-on learning.
  • Credentials: Offers a portable, nationally-recognized credential to be issued at the completion of the program.

Source: SEIA

When will prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements go into effect?

The Treasury (IRS) provided guidance on November 30, 2022. That starts the 60-day time period to begin construction of a project so that the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements do not apply and provides clarity regarding the beginning-of-construction rules.

So construction of a qualified facility or project must begin before January 29, 2023, to take advantage of the exception to the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements and still qualify for the full amount of the PTC or ITC.

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