“Always take the opportunities presented to you because with every opportunity comes growth no matter what, and with that growth you’ll become more and more capable, and therefore more valuable.”
John Bautista (he/him)
Graduated: 2023, Cohort 25
From: Castle Hill Houses, Bronx
Current Position: Solar Installer, Accord Power
The Tri-State Area’s Preeminent Solar Installer – Since 2009, Accord Power Inc. (API) has been helping homeowners and businesses save on their electric bills by designing, financing and installing top-of-the-line photovoltaic and energy storage systems. API’s professionals have installed over 500 residential and commercial solar projects throughout New Jersey, New York and Long Island. Our commitment to transparency, quality and flexibility ensures our clients receive the most productive and reliable solar and energy storage systems.
Tell us about your current role and daily responsibilities.
“It varies but for the most part it’s going around the boroughs of New York installing solar panels on the rooftops of various buildings: moving materials, reading installation maps, creating physical layouts with chalk lines on rooftops, and finally installing the panels themselves.”
Describe your career pathway. How has your GCF experience helped you?
“No jobs that I’ve had previously come to mind in terms of providing qualification for this kind of job. No job except for Green City Force which in a way is like a construction job that requires you to constantly move from place to place in order to keep you on your feet, build stamina and mental resistance. They provided me with all the certification classes I needed like OSHA 30 [Occupational Safety and Health Administration training], SST [Site Safety Training], [work zone] Flaggers, a two-week solar class with Solar One, and even the interview itself for Accord Power.”
What advice do you have for current Corps Members and other Alumni?
“Even if you might not know what you want to do just like I did, as long as you stay consistent and have a strong mindset, you’ll come to find that a lot more things will eventually become attainable to you. Also always take the opportunities presented to you because with every opportunity comes growth no matter what, and with that growth you’ll become more and more capable, and therefore more valuable. So keep going and eventually you’ll find something that sticks.”
Achievements at GCF:
“Graduating with all the certifications that were available and getting a job!”
What’s your favorite GCF memory?
“On one of the Saturdays that we were giving out produce there was a big party on the street next to us. This made it so we had a lot more people to serve and also made the day a lot more enjoyable with the music, food and overall atmosphere that was created.”
GRADUATION TESTIMONY:
John exited Cohort 25 early to pursue a solar installer role with GCF partner Accord Power, supporting the Access Solar project at 6 NYCHA developments throughout the city. John is remembered for his time in GCF as a strong self advocate, always willing to respectfully pursue things that were important to him.
Congratulations, John!
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