The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is the prime contractor for the project. FSEC is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research organization in the United States. FSEC is Florida’s energy research and education institute. FSEC’s mission is to research and develop renewable energy, energy-efficiency and alternative energy technologies that enhance Florida’s and the nation’s economy and environment.  There are five major program areas – photovoltaics, energy efficient buildings, hydrogen and fuel cells, solar thermal technologies, and education. 

Both the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and the State of Florida utilizes questions based on FSEC training manuals for NABCEP certification and the Florida solar contractor license. Continuing education programs at FSEC have encompassed solar water heating, photovoltaics, alternative fuels, photovoltaics for disaster relief, energy-efficient building design, energy rating, and education programs for teachers, students and the general public.

The Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB) is a not-for-profit corporation designated as the administrative entity and grant recipient for workforce investment programs in Brevard County, Florida (Rockledge, FL). As such, BWDB oversees the planning and implementation of a variety of workforce programs.  BWDB focuses on improving the quality of the Brevard County workforce, reducing welfare dependency, and enhancing workforce productivity and competitiveness. Its mission is to “Facilitate and be the catalyst for workforce development services that are responsive to the employment needs of Brevard County.”  Key populations served include unemployed adults, employed adults and youths earning insufficient wages, and youths entering the workforce for the first time. Additionally, employers are served by focusing on services such as recruiting, employed worker training and employee referral and screening.

The Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. is also engaged in transitioning aerospace workers from the current NASA Shuttle program to the new aerospace program, Constellation.  This transition will mean a loss of about 3,000 jobs in the aerospace industry with highly skilled workers feeling this impact.  The work of the Banner Center will dovetail with BWDB’s efforts to develop training that is capable of providing job potential for these skilled workers within Brevard and Florida over the next two to four years. As such, BWDB will help to engage students from the current aerospace workforce for the ongoing sustainability of this program.

Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation (FlaSEREF) is a foundation established in 1995 by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA).  Their aim was to further the development and use of solar energy in Florida.  Under a grant from the Florida Energy Office, the Foundation extends a host of programs to both public and private organizations demonstrating the benefits of using solar technologies in a wide-range of applications.  One of the objectives of the organization is to help strengthen the Florida solar energy industry by making professional development as well as basic training opportunities available to them and their employees, and to allied trades as well.

Alternative Energy Training Providers

We are proud to have teamed with these statewide educational organizations who have been trained at the Banner Center and offer their students the opportunity to join the Green Workforce.