Congratulations to Maverick Boone, who is now a building engineer, thanks to the training and referral he received from Tauris Tech. https://tauristech.org
Same day I wear the Frontline Safety NY LLC. shirt Alberto Gutierrez gave me, one of his trainees shows up to get his hands dirty. If he’s serious he’ll get hands on and certification training and a job interview with companies in my network. The problem with most “Workforce Training” is that training people who don’t want to work in that field is a waste of time and money, and takes away opportunities from those who actually do.
People wonder why we refer to those who train with Tauris Tech as team members instead of students; It’s because of people like Resident Manager Carlos Arias, who along with Nick Perkaj, David Cruz and others gave us financial support at our lowest point we wouldn’t even be here.
People think I’m anti college, but colleges are some of the best places for building engineers and facility managers; just ask Tauris Tech team member and assistant superintendent Eduardo Cajigas, Jr.. Most people are unaware that college building engineers and facility managers and their families can often attend classes for free, and many NYC campuses utilize high pressure steam equipment that Stationary Engineers are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to operate.
In 2019 I designed a bracket to hang heat pump condensers on windows, eliminating the need to drill holes and cutting down installation times. Even though we abandoned the project it allowed me to teach a group of teens how to use an tools, like mig welders, and how to design and redesign prototypes. My team members are constantly telling me about the solutions they have come up with to make sure their facilities have heat in the winter, cooling in the summer, potable water to drink, gray water to eliminate waste, power during blackouts and fresh air year round. Tauris Tech is not just looking to recruit the next generation of building service and skilled trade workers, we are going to give them they knowledge and confidence they need to keep this country running.
Apple employees making six figures threaten to quit if they have to return to the office, while building service workers and service providers never stopped. And some wonder why I put a spotlight on those people.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/01/apple-employees-say-theyll-quit-over-tim-cooks-return-to-office-push/
Tauris Tech team member Sean McCarthy should be an inspiration for everyone in an entry level job, wondering what their future is. After coming to America with no building trade experience, he worked his way up from porter to Resident Manager for a building with one of the best views in the world. I can’t wait to announce our upcoming Manhattan class schedule.
Thanks to Alberto Gutierrez for setting up a meeting with Tony Lantigua to discuss Taino Towers and Operation Equivalency Inc. partnering with Tauris Tech on our Building Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Pro
I made this video in 2017 with my friend Khalil Ibrahim about his journey to become a Stationary Engineer. As a teenager I followed my fathers path to the streets, while Khalil followed his fathers path into trades. As I was having run-ins with the law I watched Khalil go from security guard to Fire Life Safety Director to Watch Engineer to High Pressure Steam Plant Tender to Stationary Engineer; and when he advised me almost 20 years ago to get my Q-01 NYC Refrigeration License, I could use his success as a template. The reason America has a shortage of skilled labor is because most people are unaware of how rewarding these careers are; so until that is no longer the case, I will keep highlighting the success of all my friends, thousands of students and Tauris Tech team members.
When Alberto Gutierrez told me he was being honored by the Nassua County Office of Youth Services for his work with at risk youth Tasheba Hamilton and I had to show our support. And when he introduced us to some of the young men he worked with I asked them the question I’m going to be asking thousands of young people soon: “Do you want to work?” They said yes, so now they’re on the Tauris Tech team.
Someone responded to one of my posts saying Building Engineers weren’t equal to engineers with degrees. Well some of Tauris Tech’s classes take place 778 feet in the air. Thanks to my friend Louie Vrettos of Industrial Solutions of NY who will be a mentor in our upcoming Building Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Program.
I thought getting supplies in NYC was hard, until Tauris Trade Alliance member Lindon Robertson showed me how hard it is in Guyana, where he’s building facilities for us to provide HVAC training and jobs. It’s critical that we teach people in other countries, that don’t have the EPA 608 certification for how to properly install and maintain refrigerant containing equipment, or it won’t matter what we do here in the US.
Congratulations Gordon Gabriel on passing the Q-01 NYC Refrigeration Engineer License exam, and the Tauris Tech team for supporting him.
Congratulations to Tauris Tech team member Raja Shah, who just got hired as a Journeyman with one of the largest HVAC service companies in NYC.
This is a picture I took in 2018 of a luxury residentel building next to a building Tauris Tech was teaching in. Notice the cooling tower on the right is contaminated with mold, and one of the distribution pans is clogged, causing water to spill over right next to the domestic water tank, and a few dozen feet away from the terrace building residents are relaxing on. The mold is an indication that the water is not being treated with chemicals, and probably contains legionnaires as well. If the FDNY did an inspection, not only would they levy massive fines, they would shut down the tower, which would require the air conditioning equipment to be shut down as well, unless they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars daily using domestic water as cooling water. And if it is discovered that this tower is responsible for anyones death, the owner could be liable for millions if not criminally liable as well. A lot of experts say the ROI for employee training should be based on reduced turnover, but in my experience it should be based on the value the employee brings to your organization while they are there; and this is just one such example.
In 2018 I showed building engineers and property managers tools to test cooling tower water, including dip slides that show if there is mold or legionnaires in the water. The next day I opened my bag and found the slides indicating the presence of both, however I never poured water into the vials. This is showing what was present in the air of the room I was teaching in, which happened to be the cafeteria of a court house. Building workers are responsible for protecting not only the occupants of the building they work in, but the public in general. The upcoming Tauris Tech Building Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Program will ensure the people we train will know how to recognize such issues, and more importantly how to deal with it before lives are lost.
Rejnaldo Shehi was in my 32BJ SEIU class, and spent several years as a building engineer after getting his Q-01 NYC Refrigeration License. But he realized he would be happier as a Service Technician, which can be just as financially lucrative, but less time demanding, allowing people to spend more time with family. The great thing about skilled trades is that the skills acquire allow you to decide where you work, when you work and for whom you work. Rejnaldo will be a great mentor in Tauris Tech’s Building Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Program.
TLDR: The U.S. is more than 3 million homes short of the demand…
The lack of skilled trades people is creating a housing nightmare for home buyers of all income levels, and making it harder to house the homeless.
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089174630/housing-shortage-new-home-construction-supply-chain
Resident Manager Joe A. Serpa took my class at 32BJ SEIU and gave me encouragement when I was thinking of starting Tauris Tech. He sent me this message and ask me to share it to encourage others.
"I never finished my mission. I got hurt and was in a coma 3 days before my practical exam! I was on bed rest for 3.5 Months after that and it took me almost a year before I was myself and thinking right again. Passed the written with high marks but never passed the practical because I missed the FDNY deadline. BUT...2 years later I was Resident Manager of a 21 story, 198 unit luxury high rise apartment building on the upper east side. HOW? It's not about the certificate. That is nice but the KNOWLEDGE is what matters. Even though I missed my "FINAL EXAM" what I learned with Tauris allowed me to get this job! I make WELL over 100K and HAVE no bills. No rent in a 2 bed 2 bath UES Manhattan apartment with a pool, indoor valet parking and a sun deck on the roof. No cable, no internet, no electric, no gas. I run a luxury high rise absorber building that does not require a Q-01/Q-99 because what I learned gave me the advantage I needed to compete with 20-30 year veterans in my field. You don't test well? English is not your first Language? Worried you wont pass...SO WHAT...the possibilities are limitless. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! When I have time I will return to Tauris and get my Q-01/Q-99! Then...watch out world!!! $#i+ is going to get serious - Much Love COACH!"
The Building Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Program Tauris Tech is working on will offer 4,000 hours of on the job training in cleaning, electricity, carpentry, plumbing, painting, plastering, mechanical equipment installation/maintenance and record keeping; plus training for dozens of certifications through our online and mobile apps. Not to mention mentorship from team members like Resident Manager Felix Turcios. There are one million buildings in NYC, and our objective is to turn each into a classroom that leads to a six figure career in three years or less.