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October 15, 2021Capital Region BOCES Celebrates Careers in Construction Month with Event Matching Employers with Future Employees
Nineteen businesses, unions and colleges took part in a Careers in Construction Month event Friday at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School, Schoharie Campus, recruiting the next generation of skilled workers.
Students operated equipment, built brick walls, operated demonstrators and submitted resumes during the event that was designed to spread awareness about the value of the skilled trades in the construction industry.
“It’s very important for us to get out there and recruit. We come to the BOCES centers because we know that is where the workers are, that’s where we find our future leaders,” said Joe Frank, an instructor with the Bricklayers & Allied Crafters Union Local 2.
The bricklayers were joined at the event by Anderson Equipment, Callanan Industries, Carver Companies, D.A. Collins, Finke Equipment, Kamco Supply of New England, Lancaster Development TCHP, Martin Electric, Milton CAT, Monroe Tractor, National Grid, United Ag & Turf and TCI Inc. Also taking part was the New York State Department of Transportation, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 291, SUNY Cobleskill, the International Union of Operating Engineers 158 and the Laborers Local 157 Union.
“It’s hard to find workers because people are afraid of the unknown,” Frank said. “But we have come here for four years and found some really good workers.”
Students said they appreciated the effort by BOCES and its partners.
“It’s been pretty fun, pretty interesting and we have learned a whole bunch of new things,” said Construction/Heavy Equipment student Tristin Diaz, who attends BOES from the Middleburgh Central School District.
“It’s been a good day. I met a lot of people and submitted a resume and shook some hands. BOCES has helped me a whole lot and this is just another way,” added classmate Nate Bartlett, who attends the Construction/Heavy Equipment program from Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District.
Throughout October, Capital Region BOCES – in conjunction with its business and higher education partners – is highlighting national Careers in Construction Month with activities around the multitude of careers and opportunities that exist in the industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 300,000 construction jobs went unfilled last summer, a situation that is expected to only get worse as baby boomers retire and the economy continues to rebound from the COVID-19-induced halt to much of the workforce.
From electrical trades to heavy equipment operation and maintenance to construction, carpentry, welding and HVAC/R, programming provides students with pathways to great careers. As a result, Capital Region BOCES students are ready to build the future of the region and the state.
For more information on how Capital Region BOCES is celebrating Careers in Construction Month, go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/buildyourfuture/.
