News
March 2, 2022Adult Education Programs Offer the Opportunity to Change Careers, Reset Lives
One spent a decade in the culinary industry, another left college after determining it wasn’t for him and another is looking for a chance to join a union and work in the skilled trades. These three students and others in the Adult Electrical Trades and Welding and Metal Fabrication programs have one thing in common — the ability to relaunch their lives thanks to Capital Region BOCES.
Welding and Metal Fabrication and Commercial Electric are among several programs offered by BOCES throughout the school year to adults looking to change careers, increase their employability skills or improve their lives.
For Evan Olson of East Greenbush, the choice to enroll in an adult education program was made to accomplish all three of those goals.
“I worked for 10 years in the culinary industry and it didn’t seem a fit for me. I decided to choose a career with a future and welding seemed like the right choice,” the aspiring welder said.
For Dinkin Autumn of Guilderland, the decision to attend BOCES came after he discovered a passion for electric work while enrolled in courses at another technical school.
“I took an electronics program at ITT but found that I am more interested in electrical work. I am really interested in the trades. I want to become a union electrician or work for the state,” Autumn said.
Students in the Adult Commercial Electrical program learn the basics of electrical safety, electrical theory, construction codes, low voltage wiring, switches and control. They also learn resume writing and interview skills and have the opportunity to network with industry officials.
Students in the Adult Welding and Metal Fabrication program learn the skills necessary to enter the workforce and the advanced skills sought after by existing welders. The curriculum combines hands-on technical training lessons in weld theory and online practice modules.
Students agree the hands-on work and teaching style help them the most.
“I like the class and the people. It prepares you well. It’s a pretty good career to get in,” said welding student Andrew Dudwoire of Troy. Dudwoire had attended college in pursuit of a career in law enforcement before determining that the skilled trades is where his passion lies.
“The course is awesome. Everything is hands-on and hands-on learning is best for me. The people are great and I am learning a lot,” Autumn added.
Sam Leece of Ballston Lake summed it up best: “This program is really good and there are a lot of job opportunities. It’s what I need.”
