Suffolk Reporter

Graduates of the "Taste of the Trades" program, offered by Stony Brook University in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Suffolk County Community College, and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs, have completed their seven-week summer training. The program aimed to prepare twenty rising high school seniors from NYSERDA-designated underserved school districts for careers in fields such as construction and energy transmission.

Nearly 50 family members, school district administrators, and business leaders gathered at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) on August 22 to celebrate the graduates. Student groups presented descriptions of their experiences and received diplomas indicating their completion of the program.

“These students may be the next generation of energy infrastructure workforce, perhaps as a few mechanical engineers, maybe some welders, definitely a few future trade electricians and at least one community engagement director for an offshore wind developer,” said Derek O’Connor, workforce development manager for SBU Economic Development. “Throughout the program, they all have been made aware of these endless opportunities to continue learning, keep engaging with professionals and what pathway and off ramp they embark upon next year and beyond.”

Students expressed that the program introduced them to careers and facilities that will impact their future.

“The mentors at BNL were life-changing for me. We took tours of labs that people come from all over the world to use, and it’s 15 minutes away from me and I had no idea,” said Jannat Majid, a student at Bellport High School. “Being able to connect with professors and scientists and get an insight into what my future could look like was so cool because I had no idea about all of these options. We learned how to do interviews and how to shake someone’s hand, and I feel like I am leaving here with so many more skills.”

For many students, the hands-on activities were insightful. “The program made me reconsider my future plans because originally I just wanted computer sciences but now I want something more hands-on because I tend to like those experiences in the program,” said Nicole Alvarado from Bellport High School. “The program really is making me consider different options and trades that I could choose.”

Demarco Campbell from William Floyd High School echoed Alvarado’s sentiments. “My favorite part was the welding which was so hands-on. I now want to become an underwater welder.” Campbell credits the program for introducing him to this trade.

As part of the seven-week training experience, students were paid $16 per hour for four hours each day while immersing themselves in hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for careers in fields such as construction, clean-energy production, infrastructure development, and job prospects supporting the green economy.

The curriculum was divided into three key areas: solar power and energy storage at BNL; offshore wind energy and power-grid operations at Stony Brook; advanced manufacturing techniques at Suffolk County Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center; field trips during the final week visited The Haugland Group’s headquarters and National Grid Northport Power Plant.

Judith Brown Clarke, vice president of equity and inclusion at Stony Brook University whose office funded a presidential mini-grant supporting the program said: “When you connect yourself to what your future is you have hope... For each of you remember all things that make it possible... So make good choices.”

Materials and services were supported by several organizations including The Haugland Group, New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York State Research And Development Authority (NYSERDA), Orsted along with various departments within Stony Brook University.

— Beth Squire

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