Building Automation Training Program in New York City
New York City has nearly one million buildings. Most of them run on automated systems that control heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Someone has to install those systems, program them, and keep them running. Right now, there aren't enough people who know how. That's the gap Stacks+Joules exists to fill.
What the NYC Program Covers
Stacks+Joules runs a free, 14-week building automation training program in New York City at Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side. The program is open to anyone ages 18–24. No prior experience required. No tuition. No catch.
Over 14 weeks, students learn the full stack of building automation skills that NYC employers actually hire for:
Python programming — the language running modern BAS platforms
Niagara N4 — the industry-standard integration framework used in most commercial buildings
HVAC and air handling — how the mechanical systems work before you automate them
Low-voltage wiring and networking — the physical infrastructure underneath every BAS
LCA EE101 lighting controls certification — an industry credential you walk out with
EPA 608 refrigerant certification — federally required for anyone handling refrigerants
Professional development — resume work, interview prep, workplace communication
This isn't a lecture series. It's hands-on training built around the systems you'll actually touch on job sites across New York City.
Why Building Automation in NYC — Right Now
Local Law 97 changed everything. Starting in 2024, New York City began enforcing carbon emission limits on buildings over 25,000 square feet. That covers roughly 50,000 buildings. The fines for non-compliance are real — and they get steeper every year through 2030 and beyond.
Building owners can't meet those targets without upgrading their automation systems. That means demand for BAS technicians in New York City isn't a trend. It's a regulatory mandate backed by city law.
The industry was already short-staffed before LL97. The average BAS technician in the U.S. is in their mid-50s. Retirements are accelerating. New York City's building stock is massive and aging. The math is straightforward: too many buildings, not enough trained people, and a law that says the work has to get done.
This isn't a pitch. It's arithmetic.
Who's Hiring in New York City
Stacks+Joules graduates in NYC have gone to work for employers including:
TEC Systems — one of NYC's largest BAS contractors
Climatec/Bosch — building technologies division of a global manufacturer
Automated Logic — a Carrier company focused on building automation
Albireo Energy — independent building controls and energy services provider
Durst Corporation — major NYC real estate developer with an in-house BAS team
These are real companies with real job openings in New York City. After completing the 14-week program, graduates enter a paid internship with a BAS employer, followed by full-time job placement support.
92% of Stacks+Joules graduates are still with their employer after one year. That's not a marketing number. That's what happens when you match trained people with an industry that genuinely needs them.
What the Money Looks Like in NYC
Entry-level BAS technicians in New York City start at $28–32 per hour. That's $58,000–$66,000 a year before overtime. In a city where overtime is common, the real number is often higher.
Mid-career technicians with 3–5 years of experience earn $35–50 per hour. Senior engineers and project managers — the people running large building portfolios — make $50–70+ per hour.
These aren't theoretical ranges. They're what NYC employers are paying right now to get and keep BAS talent. The pay reflects the skill level and the shortage.
What Makes This Different
New York City has plenty of job training programs. Most of them are generalized, underfunded, or disconnected from actual employers. Stacks+Joules is none of those things.
The program was built by people who work in building automation — not by a workforce development committee. The curriculum tracks to what NYC BAS employers tell us they need. The instructors have field experience. The employer partnerships are real, not aspirational.
The program runs in person at Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side. You show up, you learn, you get certified, and you go to work. That's the model.
A motivated person who gets real BAS training in 2025 or 2026 is entering a market where the demand is structural — not cyclical. Local Law 97 isn't going away. The buildings aren't going away. The retirements aren't stopping. The only variable is whether enough trained people enter the field.
Apply to the NYC Program
Stacks+Joules is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The New York City program is completely free for accepted students. If you're 18–24 and ready to learn a skilled trade that pays well and has a future in New York City, apply now.