NY State BOCES

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Looking for some input on the quality of the NY State BOCES welding program from people who have gone through it and people that have employed BOCES graduates.  I am looking at potentially going into the program but have some doubts from previous experiences with supposed training programs I have encountered and have not seen any real feedback on BOCES.
Reply:My son took it.  He is a good welder.  He also went on to Alfred State technical school for welding.  He graduates in the spring.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:nikodell . . .1) Having been a beneficiary of NYS BOCES (Onondaga County) for the years of '72/73 (Auto Mechanics)2) With my brother-in-law having been a top-notch instructor for the Carpentry program for over two decades (has had several former students go on to own their own businesses).3) My almost landing a position as Diesel Mechanics instructor at the Ithica facility about 15 years ago (lacked the required NYS Vo-Tech Instructor certification at the time and the position was being vacated by a non-certified instructor).4) Turning down the position of Heavy Equipment Operation/Maintenace instructor in Syracuse (program not guaranteed for more than one year).. . . I am obviously and always have been a proponent of the BOCES program.  I know when I attended we had an awesome welding program along with a number of others however, I also know of a number of cases that were just the opposite.  The "bad" ones are typically due to the lack of experience and subject knowledge on the part of the instructor or just their inability to disseminate information to their students.  As many have learned, just being a master at ones craft does NOT make them a good instructor.So . . .  I say all that to say this.  Check out your local BOCES facility and talk to current and past students about their take on the welding program and their personal experiences.  If the administrators are dedicated to the goals of the program, they should be more than willing to offer success case contact sources and grant you access to talk to current students/instructors so you can make your own informed decision.If you need, I can talk to my brother-in-law regarding what is and isn't available to prospective students with regard to researching a particular program/facility.Last edited by duaneb55; 12-29-2011 at 12:33 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I went to OLEAN, NY BOCES in 78-79 for Machine Shop and had a really good instructor. The welding instructor back then was a top notch welder. Back in those days, they were not Certified Instructors but real worker guys with skills.
Reply:I will try to drop in for their class hours on Monday and see what it all looks like. I have 2 local options for classes, one might be full up already.
Reply:I looked into being an instructor there.  I didn't have much luck.   If I was an aide for a few years,  I could probably have the job.    Aide pays $50.00 a day.  Couldn't do it at this stage of my life.  I qualify more to teach auto mechanics.   I prefer welding.The instructor at Orleans county one is an awesome welder and good with the children.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I am looking night time Adult Ed at Kenton due to location, its close or the Potter shop in West Seneca which is like a half hour away. Do you know John Sullivan?, he is listed for teaching both locations at the same time.Last edited by nikodell; 12-29-2011 at 05:30 PM.
Reply:I took the Basic/ Advanced Welding course in 2008 at the Fredonia, NY BOCES. It was a night course with most of the students coming from local weld shops and auto repair facilities, the employers paying the bill. One or two days per week for a few hours each time (maybe 60 hours total). I was the only person in the course that paid their own way into the class. The instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful, his name was Dave if I remember correctly. You get what you put in with a course like that. I did learn alot about stick welding and a little gmaw too, not enough to be employable with just that training though.      I also was in the Conservation program at the same BOCES as a junior and senior in high school (1999-2000). What I got from that course will stay with me for life and I would say that it was an excellent program. There were also three adults in the same class as I was. Employment prospects with that class were good, because it was a much more intensive curriculum.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:I keep asking my employer to pay but seeing we do not need to weld he wont as he cant write it off.  I heard that there are grants to get the classes paid for but I have not been able to get anyone to give up any info on them, I got told,  "call back in 3 months".  I will go in and talk with the instructor and get some real info.Last edited by nikodell; 12-29-2011 at 07:13 PM.
Reply:Tech schools often can give you the information on what  programs are out there to help pay for classes. The instructor may know, or the office staff, say the person who is in charge of Continuing Ed..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan