Capital Region BOCES officials recently recognized the efforts of the UA Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in creating and supporting the first Plumbing Technology program offered to area high school students by Capital Region BOCES.

During the waning hours of the 2025-26 school year, BOCES leaders presented union representatives with a hand-crafted metal plaque in honor of the union’s support of the program.

“This program would not exist if it were not for the hard work and dedication of the plumber’s union,” said Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle.

BOCES and the union worked hand-in-hand to launch the one-year Plumbing Technology program in September 2025..

The comprehensive, hands-on program prepares students for entry-level positions in the plumbing industry. Students learn essential skills, including safety protocols, plumbing math and blueprint reading, while working with various piping materials such as plastic and copper. The course covers key plumbing systems such as drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems, water distribution and much more. 

The program is taught by union member Anthony Cervera, a Duanesburg resident who retired after decades working in the industry with FPI Mechanical.

Several Class of 2026 graduates of the program have already found gainful employment, including Treston Jasinski and Aryn Cinque.

“BOCES really helped me. The teachers and [the union reps] were great and helped me learn the skills I need to succeed,” said Jasinski, who graduated from BOCES on June 11 and will graduate from Mohonasen later this month.

Jasinski was hired by Collett Mechanical Inc. and is an apprentice with UA Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union.

Cinque is also an apprentice with the union. He was hired by Postler & Jaeckle Corp.

“I definitely wasn’t thinking of plumbing as a career. I came here because I thought it would be good skills to have for my own use. Now, though, it’s my dream job,” the soon-to-be Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk graduate said.

Scott Nadeau, organizer with UA Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, said the partnership between BOCES and union has been mutually beneficial.

“We learned as much as the students learned from us. It’s a great partnership. BOCES really is a college for the trades,” he said.