Solar Panels were installed on Job Point’s Roof this month in partnership with Boone Electric Cooperative and YouthBuild Global’s National Solar Training Initiative
COLUMBIA, MO (July 30, 2025) – Job Point announced today that the installation of a comprehensive solar panel system began earlier this month at their main campus at 400 Wilkes Boulevard. Installation of the system was completed as part of Job Point’s Solar Jobs Pathway Initiative with additional funding support from Boone Electric Community Trust.
In May, Job Point announced that it had been selected as one of 17 YouthBuild programs nationwide to launch a new solar workforce training initiative through YouthBuild Global, backed by funding from Invest in Our Future. The program provides hands-on, industry-aligned training in solar panel installation for local youth to pursue family-sustaining careers in energy infrastructure.
Partnering with H20’C Solar Engineering, Job Point YouthBuild is pleased to offer solar training thanks to this initiative. Solar Instructor, Tom O’Connor, has worked closely with students in the program and through this project, trained additional staff. O’Connor has been a professional engineer and Master Electrician for more than 32 years, training and supervising staff and teaching classes for utility systems operators. Under his guidance, the first leg of the project was completed at the end of July.
“We are pleased to have completed the first leg of this project, which included the installation of solar panels on our roof as well as the control switch and transformers necessary to connect with our building and the City,” John Scalise, Job Point’s CEO said. “It has been a grueling task, working in the brutal July heat, but our students have learned a lot through the process. This week, we were able to connect to the grid, flip the switch and start generating our own electricity.”
Funding for this project was made possible through a generous grant from Boone Electric Cooperative. “We are grateful for our partnership with Boone Electric Cooperative and their investment in this project. Once the entire system is installed and operating, it is estimated that we’ll be able to fully supply all of our own power needs and be able to share back with the City grid,” Scalise said. “Their gift wasn’t just about the physical products we were able to purchase this year, but about the years of power generation and cost-savings that they have made possible.”
Students in Job Point’s YouthBuild and Carpentry programs participated in the training and installation project and will earn an additional industry-recognized credential in Solar Installation.
To date, 59 or 41% of solar panels have been installed on the northeast side of Job Point’s roof. Depending on weather and availability, the team anticipates completion of the second leg of the project by the end of September. Once installation is completed, future students in Job Point’s Solar Installation program will learn about installation and maintenance of panels in Job Point’s Solar Lab which is also currently under construction on the south end of the building.
Job Point’s Solar Lab is under construction at the south end of the building.
About Job Point
Job Point is Missouri’s premier employment center and Community Development Corporation. Since 1965, we have been linking people and jobs by providing career planning and job placement assistance. We specialize in preparing individuals to enter the workforce, while meeting a critical need of the business community. The organization is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, with services extending to Moberly, Boonville and the surrounding communities. Since 2003, Job Point’s YouthBuild program has helped over 1,100 youth and young adults reclaim their education and build the skills they need for life-long learning, leadership and personal and professional success.
