BOCES Electrical Trades Program Expands to Schoharie

In an effort to better meet the needs of students and component school districts, Capital Region BOCES is expanding the Electrical Trades program to the Schoharie Campus.

The program that prepares students for careers in electrical trades will now have labs and classrooms on the Albany and Schoharie campuses.

The change, Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES said, is necessary to best match the needs of students and school districts and to address the growing demand for the program.

“We look forward to making this exciting program with great career potential more available to the students in the Schoharie region,” Palmer said.

Just a few years ago, the program added a second classroom in Albany and now there is demand to add a third classroom, which will be located in Schoharie.

Students say they enjoy the opportunity the program offers.

“It’s a job that is going to be needed. It is a good career option. As more cars go electrical, they are going to need people to create the charging stations,” said Zachary Provost, who attends the program from Mohonasen,

“I like learning about electricity and wanted to get into the program to get a career with options and where I can make money,” added Joe Oystintravis, who attends the program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

The Electrical Trades program has been offered for decades and teaches the fundamental skills in electrical theory and through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Graduates can either further their education or enter the field through apprenticeships and go on to become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.