Building Automation Training 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
92% of Stacks+Joules graduates are still with their employer after one year.
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. Mid-career technicians with 3–5 years of experience earn $35–50 per hour. Senior engineers and project managers make $50–70+ per hour.
What Makes This Different
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.
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.
