A Scotia man is well on his way to a new career thanks to the training he received at Capital Region BOCES.

David Gerlach will graduate Aug. 19 from the Adult Welding and Metal Fabrication program offered at the Career and Technical Education Center in Albany.

He is one of about 100 area adults who will be recognized during the 5 p.m. ceremony at Hackett Middle School in Albany.

Prior to graduation, he not only received the training necessary to launch a new career, but also found an employer.

“I was able to ger a job through BOCES with Mohawk Lifts as a welder. It’s great. The class was definitely worth the time and energy,” said Gerlach.
Mohawk Lifts is one of the more than 400 businesses BOCES partners with to provide career opportunities, expert advisors and work-based learning opportunities for its students.

Gerlach started the welding program at BOCES in the fall after he decided he needed a change in careers.

“I was a mechanic and I wanted something that would be a little easier on my body and more profitable. I learned of the BOCES program and here I am,” he said.

“I am very satisfied with my experience,” Gerlach said.

The 500-hour adult education course teaches students the skills necessary to enter the workforce and the advanced skills sought after by existing welders.

The curriculum combines hands-on technical training, supporting classroom lessons in weld theory and online practice modules to teach students shielded metal arc (stick) welding, gas metal arc (MIG) welding, gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), flux cored arc welding, pipe welding (stick and TIG), oxy-fuel  cutting and plasma cutting and much more.