Three new adult education offerings are launching in January at Capital Region BOCES.
The renewable Energy Electrical Trades, Welding and Metal Fabrication and Building Trades programs will provide training to address key workforce gaps in the offshore wind industry.
Through the New York State Energy Research & Development Agency (NYSERDA) funded programs, technical training specific to the offshore wind industry will target adult learners from disadvantaged or environmental justice communities and prioritize populations, such as veterans, formerly incarcerated persons, single parents, and English Language Learners.
The programs launch Jan. 8 at the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus, located at 925B Watervliet Shaker Road, Albany NY 12205.
For the new programs, BOCES is specifically recruiting adults who are underemployed and/or seeking career changes to help them overcome barriers to completing its job training program.
The new courses being offered and a brief description are as follows:
- Welding will incorporate 500 hours of training. Classes are scheduled for four hours a day, four days a week, spanning a total of 10 months.
- Electrical Trades will incorporate 300 hours of training. Classes are scheduled for 4.5 hours a day, two days a week, spanning a total of seven months.
- Building Trades will incorporate 300 hours of training. Classes are scheduled for four hours a day, three days a week, spanning a total of seven months.
Each program will emphasize core technical skills as a strong foundation, and will also incorporate industry-specific competencies focused on offshore wind and the energy industry.
These additional skills may include:
- Understanding the pathway to obtain further offshore wind certifications such as deep-sea welding, wind energy technology and project management
- Wind turbine data collection and analysis
- Knowledge related to renewable energy operations
- Hands-on experience with offshore wind businesses and wind technology equipment
- Troubleshooting of wind turbine systems
Capital Region BOCES is working with organizations such as Advance Albany, County Alliance, Albany Port District Commission, Capital District Transportation Authority, Center for Economic Growth, Equinor, Marmen, Carver Companies and the Capital Region Workforce Development Board to ensure student success.
Funded through a $1.25 million grant Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in October, the programs are designed to expedite New York’s 10-Point Action Plan to expand its thriving large-scale renewable industry.
Anyone interested in registering should contact Faith Pangburn at the United Way at Faith@unitedwaygcr.org.
For more information on Adult Education at Capital Region BOCES, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/adult-education/classes-programs/, call 518-862-4707 or email jasmine.dixon@neric.org.