Solar Energy International's Work-Trade Program Information

For the last 15 years, SEI's Work-Trade Program has enabled people from around the world to hone their skills and improve their capabilities while helping to strengthen and grow SEI. In fact, a large majority of our current staff were once work-traders!

If you're interested in SEI's Work-Trade Program, please review this page and download our Work-Trade Policies and Application forms. Check out the 'FAQ' section for common questions too. Thanks for your interest, we look forward to hearing from you.

Work-Trade Policies (PDF)

Work-Trade Application Form (PDF)

Application Deadlines:

All Work-Trade positions for 2009 have been filled. We are currently accepting applications for 2010 Work-Trade positions. Please visit SEI's Current Work-Trade Positions to view possible positions. You must choose the position(s) for which you would like to apply and send your application and resume to the contact person for each position. We will accept applications until the positions are filled. We will also post which positions are filled, so please only apply for positions that are still open.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible to become an SEI work-trader/intern you must:

1. Take a MINIMUM of 8 weeks of our Renewable Energy Education (REEP) workshops. Two weekend courses equals a week. One 6-week online course can also equal one week for work-trade purposes. For example, you can take PV Design & Installation (2 weeks), Advanced PV (1 week), Building for the Future: Solar Home Design ONLNE (6 weeks online), Straw Bale Construction and Natural Plasters (1 week), Solar Hot Water (1 week), Solar Radiant Heat (weekend), Solar Water Pumping (weekend), and RE for the Developing World (1 week).

2. SEI will trade 50% of total tuition in exchange for work. Here's how it works: For every hour worked, SEI values that as $14 in trade equivalent. We take the total tuition amount you owe and divide that in half. This gives us the amount of tuition you owe us. Then we divide that number by 14. This gives us the amount of hours you need to work in trade. Work-traders/interns must have their hours completed prior to the first day of the first workshop they would like to attend.

3. Fill out an application, and send it, along with your resume, to the SEI staff contact for the position in which you are applying.

4. Provide (2) references (no letters please, only contact information) of past employers, supervisors, professors, etc. (no family members please).

5. Be available for a phone or in-person interview.

Desired applicants are highly self-motivated, consistently willing to take initiative, require very little supervision, and are comfortable working hard in non-traditional, fun, social, and serious work environments.