J&B Solar has launched an internal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compliance and registered apprenticeship initiative aimed at strengthening workforce development while meeting evolving federal labor requirements for utility-scale solar projects.
Formally branded The Renewable Revolution Apprentice Program, the initiative is designed to align apprenticeship training directly with IRA labor and compliance standards while creating long-term career pathways for workers in the utility-scale solar sector. The program replaces third-party apprenticeship models with an internally managed framework that consolidates training, compliance tracking, and workforce planning.
The program is led by Casey Swindell, IRA Compliance & Labor Relations Manager, who said J&B Solar identified growing limitations with outsourced apprenticeship providers as IRA requirements became more complex.
“Originally, we outsourced our apprenticeship program,” said Swindell. “Over time, it became clear those solutions were expensive, reactive instead of proactive, and limited our ability to access and manage critical compliance data. Bringing the program in-house gave us control, speed, and the ability to directly invest in our people.”
As apprenticeship and IRA requirements expanded, Swindell said the industry often misunderstood where true compliance takes place.
“In reality, compliance happens behind the scenes,” she explained. “It’s preparation, documentation, internal tracking, and validating every requirement. While our previous provider tracked ratios and hours, responsibility for full IRA compliance still rested with us.”
To reduce risk and eliminate fragmented accountability, J&B Solar consolidated apprenticeship oversight, reporting, documentation, and manpower planning into a single internal program.
“Done right means fully understanding the law, following it without exception, and maintaining complete control of the process,” Swindell said.
The Renewable Revolution Apprentice Program was built to reflect the operational realities of large-scale solar construction. Rather than creating new software platforms, J&B Solar configured internal systems capable of tracking On-the-Job Training (OJT), Related Technical Instruction (RTI), prevailing wage compliance, apprenticeship ratios, and IRA manpower calculations in real time.
“IRA tracking itself is fairly straightforward,” Swindell noted. “Apprenticeship programs are far more complex. You’re managing training requirements, oversight, wage progressions, and strict regulatory rules while work continues on live jobsites.”
By centralizing these functions, the company said it can proactively manage compliance and workforce planning without relying on disconnected platforms or delayed reporting.
Company leaders emphasized that the program is focused on workforce development, not simply regulatory compliance. Candidates apply directly through the J&B Solar website and enter a structured program that includes onboarding, RTI instruction, and ongoing mentorship.
Each apprentice is paired with a journey worker leader and follows a solar-specific curriculum tied directly to field operations.
“This program is rigorous by design,” said Swindell. “The expectations are clear from day one. That’s what turns a job into a career.”
Graduates earn formal certification, gain extensive field experience, and increase their earning potential, supporting workforce retention and long-term project quality.
Swindell said relatively few solar contractors have developed in-house IRA-compliant apprenticeship programs due to the level of sustained oversight required.
“You need a true program champion—someone accountable end to end,” she said. “Regulations change constantly, and RTI must be built, monitored, and adjusted continuously.”
For project owners and EPC partners, J&B Solar said the program helps reduce compliance risk and ensures apprenticeship and IRA requirements are met consistently across projects.
Looking ahead, the company plans measured growth of The Renewable Revolution Apprentice Program as federal regulations continue to evolve.
“This isn’t about expansion for expansion’s sake,” Swindell concluded. “It’s about developing confident tradespeople who take pride in their work and are willing to teach the next generation.”
Founded in 2013, J&B Solar is a national utility-scale solar mechanical contractor supporting projects across North America. The company has installed more than 4 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and self-performs foundations, racking, and module installation.
J&B Solar operates a specialized fleet of GPS-guided pile drivers capable of installing foundations up to 46 feet, allowing precise installation across complex subsurface conditions. Its teams work across varied terrains and geographies, supporting predictable execution and long-term partnerships with owners, developers, and EPCs.
Originally reported by J&B Solar in EIN Presswire.
.png)
