BOCES secures grant to bridge trade skills gap

Questar III BOCES has secured a groundbreaking $1.6 million grant from New York State's Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant to address the skills gap in the trades industry. The grant will be used to transform an outdated facility adjacent to the Robert H. Gibson Technical School in Troy into a state-of-the-art training center.

The facility will house two high-demand trade programs: a new welding and metal fabrication program and the existing heavy equipment maintenance and operation program. This will provide students with hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities, thanks to industry stakeholders committed to providing internships.

Construction is currently underway on the new welding facility in Troy, and Questar III BOCES will soon begin accepting students into the program for the 2024-2025 school year.