BH-BL senior draws a direct ‘line’ from BOCES to HVCC and (hopefully) on to National Grid

student working with wires against wood

With only one year of training at Capital Region BOCES, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School student Gavin Hansel has nonetheless been accepted into an elite program at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC).

Electrical Trades senior, Hansel,  will attend the Overhead Electric Line Worker program at HVCC in the fall after completing just one year of the two-year Electrical Trades program at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School.

“It’s a great honor and says something about him to be selected after just one year in our program,” said Rich LaTorre, a teaching assistant in the BOCES program.student wearing blue holding holding a tool

“I am really excited about it,” said Hansel. “It’s my first year in this program. I didn’t really ever think about an electrical career as an option until a friend of mine who works for National Grid told me last year how they’re always looking for lineman,” Hansel said. “I visited BOCES, became interested, and here I am.”

The HVCC program is a feeder program for lineman at National Grid and is one just a handful of ways for someone to gain employment at the utility giant. Many Capital Region BOCES CTE students enter the HVCC program, but almost always after completing the full, two-year program at CTE.

“I know it’s weird to say, but I like the work. It interests me. BOCES has taught me a lot. I look forward to Hudson Valley and then going to work for National Grid,” he said.

“It’s a good work environment and it pays well,” added Hansel, “it’s a good career path.”