Skilled Trades
Welding
Overview:
Offered in collaboration with Makerspace NYC and the College of Staten Island, the SMAW Welding Training Program provides hands-on instruction in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) to prepare students for American Welding Society (AWS) 3G and 4G welding certifications. This 12-week intensive program is ideal for individuals interested in launching a career in welding and skilled trades. Students will gain practical experience in SMAW techniques, blueprint reading, fabrication tools, and shop math. Upon completion, students will test at an AWS-accredited facility to earn industry-recognized certifications Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI.
In this course, you will learn:
- How to safely operate SMAW equipment and perform structural welding in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions
- Techniques for completing stringer beads, weave beads, fillet welds, and groove welds
- How to read and interpret welding symbols and construction drawings
- Safe use of fabrication tools such as band saws, grinders, shears, magnetic drills, and more
- Shop math skills including fractions, decimals, and measurement using tapes and calipers
| Course duration: | 4 months (144 Hours) |
|---|---|
| Course format: | In-Person |
| Course schedule: | Cohort 1: Mon, Wed, Fri | Jan 2026 | 6:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Instructor Name: | Evan Smith |
| Tuition and inclusions: |
The NYC Department of Labor is sponsoring tuition for select trainees in our January 2026 SMAW Welding Program at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Makerspace.
Spots are limited—tuition coverage is only available for selected trainees. Don’t miss your chance to gain skills that lead to real career opportunities in skilled trades.
To Apply: START YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS |
| Certification or credentials earned: |
Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI and Staten Island Makerspace. Official certification will be granted by AWS-accredited testing facility upon successfully passing the certification exam. |
| Enrollment Requirements: |
|
| Certification Requirements: |
|
About your instructor:
Evan Smith - Shop Manager & Fabrication Specialist | 10+ Years of Experience | Welding Instructor
Evan Smith is an experienced Shop Manager and Fabrication Specialist with over a decade of expertise in the metalworking industry. Specializing in maintaining and operating shop tools and machinery, Evan is skilled in prototyping and fabrication, with a strong background in working from technical drawings, samples, and written descriptions.
Throughout his career, Evan has excelled in creating precise patterns and templates and is proficient in a range of metalworking processes, including cutting, drilling, forging, welding, brazing, and burning. He has extensive hands-on experience using hand tools, powered equipment, and various welding techniques such as SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW to assemble and attach fabricated components to machinery and structures.
In addition to his technical work, Evan is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to training the next generation of welders. As a welding instructor, he shares his knowledge and expertise with students, instilling both the technical skills and the safety practices necessary for success in the field. His commitment to education ensures that future welders are equipped with the tools and confidence they need to thrive in the industry.
Evan combines his technical expertise with leadership skills to maintain an efficient, organized, and safe work environment in the shop. His problem-solving abilities and attention to detail ensure high-quality results in every project he undertakes.
Electrical Technician Program
Overview:
Electrical technicians ensure power flows safely and reliably in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. The Electrical Level 1 course is 190 hours, including 75 hours of CORE, and covers electrical theory, grounding and bonding, wiring, overcurrent protection, load calculations, services, heating systems, lighting, appliances, motors, box and raceway fill, and hazardous locations—providing a strong foundation for real-world electrical work. Upon successfully passing the certification exam, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from CSI.
In this course, you will learn:
- Overview of electrical craft and career paths
- Safety hazards, standards and OSHA-mandated lockout/tagout rules
- Basic atomic and electrical theory
- Basic circuits, as well as the methods for calculating the electrical energy
- Overview of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association installation requirements
- Methods for hand bending conduit raceway systems, along with their installation
- How to install conductors
- How to interpret electrical drawings
- The applications of various types of electrical test equipment
| Course duration: | 4 months (144 Hours) |
|---|---|
| Course format: | In-Person |
| Course schedule: | Cohort 1: Mon, Wed, Fri | Jan 12, 2026 | 6:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Instructor Name: | Golan Wolkowitz |
| Tuition and inclusions: |
The Electrical Technician Training Program is funded by the NYC Department of Labor. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to apply immediately to go through the screening process. Spring 2026 Electrical Technician Scholarship Application – Fill out form |
| Certification or credentials earned: | Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI |
| Enrollment Requirements: |
|
| Certification Requirements: |
|
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician Training
Overview:
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians are skilled multitaskers who work on systems that control the temperature, humidity, and quality of the air in our homes, workplaces, and other types of buildings to ensure these systems function properly and efficiently. Upon successfully passing the certification exam, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from CSI.
In this course, you will learn:
- Knowledge of HVAC systems, parts and components
- Understanding of electricity and Ohm’s law
- Ability to perform refrigerant recovery and charging operations and install central heating, cooling and hydronic systems
- Ability to perform standard maintenance and diagnostic repair of furnaces, low pressure boilers, central air units and heat-pumps
- Ability to calculate actual building loads using heat loss/gain to select equipment size
- Safe handling of refrigerants according to EPA Section 608
- Knowledgeable application of green technology in HVAC repair
|
Course duration: |
6 months (164 Hours) |
|---|---|
|
Course format: |
Hybrid |
|
Course schedule: |
Cohort 1: Mon, Wed | Apr 13 - Oct 19 | 6:00pm - 9:30pm |
|
Instructor Name: |
Thomas Carlton |
|
Tuition and inclusions: |
$3,530 which includes:
|
| Certification or credentials earned: | Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI. |
|
Enrollment Requirements: |
|
|
Certification Requirements: |
|
About your instructor:
Thomas Carlton is an experienced instructor with 23 years of expertise in commercial HVAC, refrigeration and ice making service. His industry experience includes roles as Assistant Chief Engineer at The Durst Organization and Refrigeration Engineer/Foreman at New York University. Holding multiple FDNY certifications and an EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Certification, Thomas is dedicated to advancing the skills of future HVAC professionals and preparing students for careers in HVAC and refrigeration licensing.