Congratulations to all 30 Graduates 

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 19, 2026) — 30 adult learners successfully completed the Offshore Wind Career Pathway Program this August. The graduates are ready to take their next career step in the skilled trades.

In partnership with NYSERDA and Capital Region BOCES, Offshore Wind Career Pathway Program provides tuition-free training opportunities to support students in high-demand careers in the energy sector and offshore wind industry. Participants complete 300-500 hours of hands-on instruction in their selected trade of either welding, electrical or construction. Participants who completed the program also earned their OSHA 10-hour Safety Certification, helping strengthen readiness for employment in a rapidly evolving field.

Many students were present for the August graduation ceremony at William S Hackett Middle School, where they received their diplomas in hand. Many graduates have already secured employment or apprenticeships. For those graduates still searching for the right opportunity, they will work with job coaches and case managers to navigate their job search and take the next step toward a career in their field.

Recent graduate Elijah Alston said,

"It's like the perfect stepping stone to get my foot in the door into the electrical field, just a great opportunity. Pretty much the sky is the limit."

Faith Pangburn, Senior Resource Coordinator at United Way, explained, 

"We got to do all of the recruitment. It was extremely exciting to see students walk across the stage after all of the hard work they did."

Graduates are moving into entry-level skilled-trade positions in welding, electrical, construction/building trades, and related fields. They will continue working with their job coaches and case managers after graduation for job search and employment support until they secure a position in their field or no longer need assistance.