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) |
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| Course format: | In-Person |
| Course schedule: | Cohort 1: Mon, Wed, Fri | September 2026 | 6:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Instructor Name: | Evan Smith, Makerspace |
| Tuition and inclusions: |
The NYS Department of Labor is sponsoring tuition for select trainees in our September 2026 SMAW Welding Program. Scholarship recipients receive:
Spots are limited. Tuition sponsorship is available only to trainees selected for and who accept the scholarship award. This is not open enrollment. If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to build industry-ready welding skills and take a step toward real career opportunities in the skilled trades. You may be eligible for tuition sponsorship for our September 2026 SMAW Welding Program! To be considered, you must:
The Fall 2026 DOL Welding Technician Scholarship Application is CLOSED. |
| Certification or credentials earned: |
Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI and Makerspace. Official certification will be granted by AWS-accredited testing facility upon successfully passing the certification exam. |
| Enrollment Requirements: |
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| Certification Requirements: |
To earn your AWS 3G & 4G Welding credentials, trainees must:
Upon successful completion and passing of the exams, official AWS certification will be issued by the AWS-accredited testing facility. |
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 play a critical role in keeping homes, businesses, and industrial facilities powered, safe, and running smoothly.
Our 190-hour Electrical Level 1 program gives you the hands-on knowledge and foundational skills to begin building a career in the electrical trades. You’ll explore electrical theory, wiring, grounding and bonding, safety and protection systems, load calculations, lighting, appliances, motors, heating systems, and more; including 75 hours of CORE training.
Whether you’re exploring the trades for the first time or looking to build on existing skills, this program provides a strong foundation for real-world electrical work and future career growth.
In this course, you will:
- Explore the Electrical Trade: Learn about the electrical industry, career pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, and what it takes to succeed as an electrical professional.
- Put Safety First: Learn to identify electrical hazards, use appropriate PPE, follow electrical safety standards, and apply OSHA-required lockout/tagout procedures.
- Understand How Electricity Works: Build a foundation in atomic and electrical theory, electrical measurements, Ohm’s Law, power equations, and basic electrical circuits.
- Apply Electrical Theory: Learn how series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits work and develop skills in basic circuit analysis.
- Work with the National Electrical Code®: Learn how to navigate and apply NEC® requirements to support safe and compliant electrical installations.
From understanding how electricity works to learning how to work with the tools and systems used in the field, you’ll gain practical knowledge designed to prepare you for the next step in your electrical career.
| Course duration: | 6 months (189 Hours) |
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| Course format: | In-Person |
| Course schedule: | Mon, Tues, Wed | Oct 26 - Apr 7, 2027 | 6:30pm - 9:30pm |
| Instructor Name: | Golan Wolkowitz |
| Tuition and inclusions: | $5,530.00 (includes tuition, registration fee, textbook (s), toolkit and certification exam vouchers. |
| Certification or credentials earned: | Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI |
| Enrollment Requirements: |
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| Certification Requirements: |
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Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician Training
Overview:
HVAC technicians keep homes, businesses, and other buildings comfortable, safe, energy-efficient, and running smoothly. This hybrid training program prepares you to work with the systems that heat, cool, and manage indoor air quality.
IN THIS COURSE, YOU’LL LEARN TO:
- Understand HVAC Systems: Explore heating, cooling, refrigeration, and hydronic systems, including their components and operation.
- Diagnose & Maintain Equipment: Learn to perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot common HVAC system issues.
- Size Equipment Properly: Calculate building heat loss and heat gain to determine appropriate equipment sizing.
- Handle Refrigerants Safely: Learn EPA Section 608 requirements and safe refrigerant handling practices.
- Install & Service Systems: Develop skills in refrigerant recovery and charging, central air conditioning, furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps.
- Explore Green Technology: Discover energy-efficient and environmentally responsible approaches to HVAC installation and repair.
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Course duration: |
6 months (165 Hours) |
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Course format: |
Hybrid |
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Course schedule: |
Spring 2027 Semester | TBD | 6:00pm - 9:30pm |
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Instructor Name: |
Thomas Carlton |
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Tuition and inclusions: |
$3,530.00 includes:
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| Certification or credentials earned: | Upon successful completion of the course, a Certificate of Completion will be issued by CSI. |
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Enrollment Requirements: |
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Certification Requirements: |
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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.