SUNY Canton Brings Solar Ready Vets Program to the Capital District
SUNY Canton is expanding one of its premiere workforce development initiatives to help veterans and retiring soldiers in the greater Albany area.
The college’s Solar Ready Vets program will run from June 25 to July 27 through a collaboration with Hudson Valley Community College's TEC-SMART extension campus in Malta, Saratoga County. The deadline for application will be May 25.
The five-week course is offered through SUNY Canton’s Career Ready Education and Success Training (CREST) Center for Workforce Development. Classes focus on solar photovoltaic systems and installation through hands-on labs. In addition, the program will facilitate job placement with New York-based and national solar companies.
“We’ve had great success offering Solar Ready Vets locally through a partnership with Fort Drum,” noted Arthur S. Garno, CREST director. “Now our master instructors will be expanding this valuable training to veterans in other regions. There are careers ready for our graduates.”
The course is reserved for veterans or retiring military personnel. Attendants can use their GI Bill benefits to cover the $2,850 course fee. Prerequisites for the course include a high school diploma or equivalent, a completed application and a working resume.
The college first began offering this program with the U.S. Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in 2016. The most recent class of veterans helped bring solar power to the newly-renovated community fountain in Norwood.
For more information, contact the SUNY Canton CREST Center, 315-386-7229, or email crest@canton.edu. For GI Bill funding, contact Patrick S. Massaro, director of military & veterans student services, 315-386-7073, or email massarop@canton.edu.
Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college’s career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 23 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and will be transitioning to the SUNYAC in Fall 2024. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.