A new Electro- Mechanical Trades Lab is now ready for use, the lab is two years in the making. The Lab was opened with an official ribbon cutting event at Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia on Monday afternoon.
Students in the program learn basic electrical theory and how it applies to residential electronics, industrial electricity, and mechanical and robotic operations. Students will learn how to read blueprints and apply that understanding to interpreting schematics and troubleshooting.
The two year program can be continued at the college level at MCC where students can get either an Associates degree, or a 1 year Certificate.
All the equipment for the lab was purchased with donation money through business partners Liberty Pumps, National Grid, and Tambe Electric, with assistance from Genesee County Economic Development.
“This money will allow us to take this particular program to the next level of mechatronics,” said Jon Sanfratello, Executive Principal of GV BOCES.
“Students can understand what they are seeing and fix it, the world of tomorrow is in your hands.”
The program was started two years ago after touring the MCC Lab.
“Their lab was overwhelming because the amount of equipment and the size and scope of what they have, robot arms. How do we get to start at the secondary level,” says Kevin MacDonald, District Superintendent for GV BOCES.
They started the process with a teacher who has years of experience in building trades.
Teacher Rich Monroe says this class is 25 years in the making.
“This particular phase is an evolution. BOCES is supposed to help with the work force and look at the geographical area needs. We have people that are screaming for this type of technology, know how and knowledge. If the STAMP Project takes off, this class becomes even more important.
“We started with a great group of kids, and now we have business partners and Economic Development all working together for the good of the community. We look forward to developing a skilled workforce,” says MacDonald.