Build the credentials employers want

Every role we track maps to a real certification, license, or training pathway. Here's what to pursue for each one — and what candidates with it should highlight.

Solar Wind Storage Grid EV Sustainability Policy Cross-functional
Solar
1091
open roles right now
27
companies hiring
$53,140
US median wage, PV installers
See all Solar jobs →
1
Get the entry credential — NABCEP Associate
4–6 weeks · no prior experience required
Train at: Solar Energy International (SEI)MREA
2
Land your first role — Solar PV Installer
US median $53,140/yr for PV installers
1091 open Solar roles →
3
Level up — NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
After 1–2 years of documented field experience
Train at: SEIMREA
Senior roles — lead installer, site supervisor, O&M, design
Salary grows with experience and crew responsibility
Browse Solar roles →
Where to train
Solar Energy International (SEI)Featured Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)Featured
Wind
497
open roles right now
11
companies hiring
$64,120
US median wage, wind techs
See all Wind jobs →
1
Get trained — wind turbine technician certificate
24 weeks (Kalamazoo Valley) to a 2-year diploma (Iowa Lakes, Mitchell Tech)
2
Land your first role — Wind Turbine Service Technician
US median $64,120/yr for wind techs
497 open Wind roles →
3
Build experience — GWO safety modules, travel roles
Travel technician roles often pay premiums
Senior roles — site lead, commissioning, O&M supervisor
Salary grows with certifications and site responsibility
Browse Wind roles →
Where to train
Mitchell Technical CollegeComing soon
Storage
419
open roles right now
18
companies hiring
See all Storage jobs →
1
Build an electrical or solar foundation
Most storage installers start from a NABCEP solar or electrician background
2
Add the storage credential — NABCEP ESIP
MREA's PV 451/452 courses count toward exam eligibility
Train at: MREA
Storage roles — battery / BESS engineer and installer
US median $122,930/yr for similar engineering roles
419 open Storage roles →
Where to train
NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP)Featured Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)Featured
Grid
249
open roles right now
14
companies hiring
7%
of postings mention NERC
See all Grid jobs →
1
Get certified — NERC System Operator credential
Exams delivered via Pearson VUE · prep courses available
Prep: INPOWERD boot camp
2
Land a grid role — operator, interconnection analyst
US median $120,630/yr for similar roles
249 open Grid roles →
Maintain and advance — CEH credits, senior operator track
NERC credentials renew on a 3-year cycle with continuing education
Where to train
NERC System Operator CertificationFeatured INPOWERD — NERC 693/O&P Boot CampFeatured
EV
32
open roles right now
3
companies hiring
See all EV jobs →
1
Start from an electrical base
EVITP requires a licensed electrician background — IBEW-NECA apprenticeships are the classic route
2
Add the EV credential — EVITP certification
~20 hours · proctored exam · 3-year renewal
Train at: EVITP
EV infrastructure roles — installation, PM, commissioning
US median $141,900/yr for similar management roles
Browse open roles →
Where to train
EVITPFeatured
IBEW-NECA Joint Apprenticeship & Training CentersComing soon
Sustainability
13
open roles right now
3
companies hiring
$83,050
US median wage, similar roles
See all Sustainability jobs →
1
Get credentialed — GRI or LEED Green Associate
Both are open to newcomers · self-paced online options
GRI AcademyUSGBCGBES
2
Land an analyst role — sustainability / ESG reporting
US median $83,050/yr for similar roles
Browse open roles →
Advance — reporting lead, FSA credential (SASB standards)
The FSA credential deepens disclosure and accounting expertise
Where to train
GRI Academy — Certified Sustainability ProfessionalFeatured USGBC — LEED Green Associate exam prepFeatured GBES (Green Building Education Services)Featured
Policy
12
open roles right now
5
companies hiring
See all Policy jobs →
1
Build the foundation — degree plus an energy-policy certificate
Graduate certificates stack onto most degrees
UPenn KleinmanOregon StateUW–Madison
2
Land an analyst role — energy or regulatory policy
US median $101,110/yr for similar roles
12 open Policy roles →
Advance — government affairs, regulatory strategy
Experience with FERC/state proceedings is the differentiator
Where to train
UPenn Kleinman Center Energy Policy CertificateFeatured Oregon State Ecampus — Energy Policy Grad CertificateFeatured UW–Madison Energy Analysis and Policy CertificateFeatured
Cross-functional roles
Roles that show up across every sector we track, where hiring leans more on experience than a single credential.
Cross-sector
Electrical Engineer
Recommended pathway
PE (Professional Engineer) licensure, often alongside IEEE student-chapter involvement earlier in a career.
Cross-sector
Project Manager
Recommended pathway
No universal requirement, though a PMP (Project Management Professional) credential is common and well-regarded.
Cross-sector
Software Engineer
Recommended pathway
No standard certification path — hiring here is driven by demonstrated experience and relevant technical skills, not credentials.

Hiring for one of these roles?

See real compensation, supply and demand, and sourcing strategy for every role we track in Verde Talent Intelligence.