Electrical Trades to expand to Schoharie BOCES Campus

In an effort to better meet the needs of our students and component school districts, Capital Region BOCES is making changes to the locations of two programs for the start of the 2021-22 school year.

The Network Cabling Tech/Smart Home Technology program will be relocated to the Albany Campus from its current home on the Schoharie Campus. Meanwhile, the Electrical Trades program will expand to the Schoharie Campus.

The changes, Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES said, are necessary to best match the needs of students and school districts.

“We have heard from prospective students and our component districts in the Albany area that they are interested in the Network Cabling program that they want to attend the program. At the same time we are constantly in contact with employers seeking workers for the industry. To maximize the potential of the program and to best meet the needs of our students, schools and even employers, we believe it is the right time to make this change,” Palmer said.

At the same time. Demand from students to attend the Electrical Trades Technology program continues to grow. 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.

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

Launched with the start of the 2019-20 school year, the Network Cabling Technician/Smart Home Technology course teaches students everything from network cabling using copper-based systems to applied systems integration to energy management systems and telephone systems. The program was launched at the behest of business leaders who are in need of workers.

“Our program prepares the workforce needed to build out and cable this new infrastructure. We have the right program in place and are actively looking for the students interested in these great careers,” said teacher Ed Henson, a 35-year veteran of Verizon.

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 further their education or enter the field through apprenticeships and go on to become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.