Solar & Clean Energy Training Program Success Story: Leticia Smith

After Leticia Smith graduated from Elevate’s solar training and clean energy program, she began working in the clean energy industry and spreading the word about the importance of energy efficiency upgrades throughout her community.  

“Since I started working, I’ve been learning more new things about sustainability and solar energy overall, and as a result, I’ve gotten more active and effective in my own community because I’ve gained such amazing information,” Smith said. “Elevate’s training programs aren’t something that effect just one person’s future, it impacts the people around them and improves everyone’s futures.”  

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Smith is the youngest of seven siblings. Prior to her interest in the clean energy industry, Smith worked in healthcare and as a small business owner selling hand-made, all natural products, from vitamin oils to body butter.  

When she heard about Elevate’s solar training and clean energy program, she understood it was an opportunity to continue her efforts to heal people and communities by learning to implement technologies that can increase their quality of life. 

“We are all human, we all breathe the same air, so learning about and enacting technologies that can protect our environment is something that matters for all of us,” Smith explained.  

Smith immediately began searching for a job after graduating from the program in June 2024 by building her portfolio, attending Elevate’s job fairs, and networking within the industry. As a result, Smith found a job working as an application analyst in the solar and clean energy field. 

In her current role, Smith helps disperse funding to property owners who are interested in obtaining energy-efficient upgrades for their homes and businesses. Smith specializes in working with customers and partners to assist with solar panel installations, project designs, and anything else that’s required to successfully install a solar system for families and business owners.  

“My average workday involves using a combination of the skill sets I’ve learned and been trained in,” Smith explained. “It’s been amazing and challenging, and all those good things, not just being in any industry but working in an industry that gives back. Sustainability is very crucial throughout the world, no matter where you are.” 

Outside of work, Smith enjoys sharing information about energy and water efficiency with anyone she meets who’s interested in learning more. Smith has always had a passion for community service and has regularly cooked meals and collected supplies for people in need. Now, she also takes pride in answering people’s questions about energy efficiency upgrades and educating people about steps they can take to protect the environment.  

“I hope that by sharing that knowledge, more people can feel like we all play a part in that at some point,” Smith said. “We know how pollution works, so I feel it’s important for everyone to understand more about how we can prevent it and get more engaged in those efforts. I don’t know why, but I’m one of those people who gets stopped by strangers all the time and ends up having like 30-minute conversations with people who just need someone to talk to, so I just let life focus wonders.”   

Smith said that Elevate’s solar training and clean energy training program provided her with the foundation she needed to not only succeed in her current role but also freely share practical information about the importance of energy efficiency with others in her community.  

“I truly believe learning the fundamentals of this industry was very crucial and it was a great start,” Smith explained. “Because you’re able to get that repetition and time to learn before you go out into the real world where the real learning happens, where you then have to reinforce what you’ve learned accordingly.” 

Although there’s some things you can only learn once you’re on the job, Smith felt she started her career with a solid understanding of the clean energy industry due to Elevate’s programming.   

“Elevate has done an amazing job with the solar training and clean energy program, from all angles, because they offered support, guidance, patience, and that steadfast motivation that keeps everyone moving,” Smith said. 

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