News
February 4, 2019Business Leaders to Capital Region BOCES: We Need Workers
Some could fill six positions, others even more but the business representatives that attended a meeting Thursday at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School all have one thing in common – they need good workers.
Businesses ranging from Albany Truck Sales to Northeast Heating and Cooling took part in business advisory meetings for Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School’s automotive, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration (HVAC/R) and diesel tech programs.
“It’s very hard, almost impossible to find good workers. They just aren’t out there,” said Tim Harper, Albany Truck Sales lease operations manager.
The advisory committees meet twice a year to keep faculty members apprised of employment needs and trends, as well as guide them in the needs of the “real world” workplace.
The trend relayed to Career and Tech faculty this year was a need for good workers.
“They are out there, you just have to sift through a lot to find them,” said Mike Brewster of Gill’s Garage in Burnt Hills, an automotive advisory board member who is providing a paid internship to a BOCES senior.
“When you find a good kid, a good worker, you reward them,” he added.
Other topics discussed during the meeting included:
- Work-based learning opportunities for students
- Career and Technical School program approvals/accreditations
- Guest speakers/demonstrations and field trips
Among those on hand for the advisory meeting was Nick Plant, a 2007 Capital Region BOCES automotive graduate from Duanesburg.
Plant started an internship at what was then Orange Ford as part of his Capital Region BOCES education. Thirteen years later he continues to work at the operation, which is now known as DePaula.
“I did an internship at Orange through BOCES and that translated into a paid job. I have been there for 13 years now and have my college degree,” said Plant. “I was very well prepared for college and work because of the training I had at BOCES,” he said.
For information on how to become a business partner, contact Nancy Liddle, business and community liaison at 518-862-4823 or nancy.liddle@neric.org or go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/business-partners/.
