Frequently Asked Questions
Foundry Academy
If I am flying to Rochester, NY what airport should I fly in to?
The Rochester International Airport (ROC) is the airport closest to the training site—approximately 20 minutes from the training center. The Buffalo/Niagara International airport (BUF) is west of Rochester and is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from the training center. In addition, the Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is East of Rochester and is also about 1 hour and 10 minutes from the training center.
Where should I book a hotel?
Registrants are offered a 15% discount when booking at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Rochester-Victor (9.4 miles).
The closest hotel to the training facility is the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/Pittsford (3 miles).
There are many available hotels in the Pittsford/Victor area of Rochester, NY close to the training site should you wish to stay at another location.
Is the Academy in-person, online, or a combination of both?
The majority of Academy programs and instructors are in-person to maximize your training experience. There are hybrid options offered for courses such as the Mining Intensive, which includes required online videos and activities to be completed prior to meeting in-person in Rochester, NY. Should safety protocols or other circumstances change, Foundry Digital LLC reserves the right to transition to remote instruction.
Do I need to bring a computer or other equipment for the training?
The Academy will have laptops available for use at the facility. However, if you would prefer to use your own laptop you are welcome to do so.
What are the hours that class will be in session each day?
Class hours are typically 9 am to 5 pm Monday–Friday (5 days). However, there are some variations so please be sure to check the schedule daily. There is a 1.5-hour lunch built into the schedule for each day.
Where is the training facility located?
All live training takes place in Fairport, NY.
How far away is the training facility from the airport?
The Fairport facility is located approximately 20 minutes from the Rochester International airport.
What is there to do in Rochester in the evenings and weekends?
From world-renowned attractions, dining, and historic museums to internationally recognized festivals, Rochester has everything a major metro city can offer with the beauty and fun of a four-season adventure destination. Explore more here.
What job will I be qualified for once I complete the Academy?
You will receive training that will prepare you for a career as a bitcoin mining technician.
What is an approximate starting salary for a bitcoin mining technician?
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a cryptocurrency mining technician is between $40k-$50k per year.
Why are the topics of blockchain fundamentals part of the Academy?
While the program prepares students for hands-on work as a Mining Technician, learning about bitcoin and blockchain will help you dive deeper into your career and equip you with the knowledge to be an ambassador of the Bitcoin/cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Where in the country are there available jobs that I will be qualified for?
There are bitcoin mining jobs in several states across the country. Today those states primarily include, but are not limited to, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, and Nebraska (Source: Fortune).
Upon completion of the program, Foundry Academy staff remain as a resource to connect graduates with mining facilities.
Will there be a tour of a mining facility?
Yes, a tour of a local mining facility is incorporated into the training program.
How should I dress for the Academy?
We want you to be comfortable throughout your training experience and ask you to dress in casual attire. On some days you will want to dress in clothing that you are willing to get dirty as you will be conducting repair work in a mining facility of the training facility.
Are meals provided?
Lunch is provided daily. You are on your own for breakfast and dinner. There are several restaurants within 10 minutes of the training facility and there may be breakfast options available at your hotel. There is also a refrigerator and break room if you would like to bring meals or snacks.
Are there any prerequisites to enroll in the Academy?
The only requirement is that participants must have a High School Diploma or GED.
Do I need to have experience or an interest in bitcoin, blockchain, or cryptocurrencies?
Prior experience is not required. Interest in the subject is strongly encouraged.
What type of mining equipment does the Academy use to train students?
The Foundry Academy utilizes the latest Bitmain and MicroBT miners to teach the hands-on technical components of the mining training curriculum.
What does a Mining Technician do?
Mining technicians play a critical role in ensuring the operational effectiveness of digital asset mining facilities, including:
- Managing installation, organization, and inventory of equipment, including racking units and configuring power and network cables
- Proactively identifying issues affecting the production environment
- Performing basic and preventative maintenance on machines
- Optimizing equipment and overall operations
- Assisting with facility maintenance
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
We understand that plans can change, and strongly recommend that you book travel accommodations that are refundable, or purchase travel insurance.
If a participant requests cancellation in writing 30 calendar days or more prior to the original start date of the intended Foundry Academy session, the participant will receive a full refund of the fees paid.
If a participant requests cancellation in writing within 14 -29 calendar days prior to the original start date of the intended Foundry Academy session, the participant will receive a full refund of the fees paid, minus a non-refundable $300 deposit fee (per session).
Foundry does not offer refunds to any participants requesting cancellation fewer than 14 calendar days prior to the start date of the intended Foundry Academy session.
Participants may also elect to receive a credit of course fees (based on refund schedule outlined above) and use that credit toward any Foundry Academy course scheduled in the current calendar year.
Foundry reserves the right to cancel or postpone a course up to 7 days prior to the course start date, or, in the case of cancellation or postponement due to inclement weather, up to 48 hours prior to the course start date.
Cancellation requests must be sent to: [email protected]