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May 14, 2025Capital Region BOCES to host National Signing Day May 29
Area high school students will sign letters of intent with businesses and labor unions on May 29 during the third annual Capital Region BOCES National Signing Day.
Workforce development officials will be joined by education leaders, labor, and business representatives in recognizing the commitment of the students as they enter the workforce.
“Capital Region BOCES and our business and industry partners are committed to working together to solve the national shortage of skilled workers,” said Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Director Jeff Palmer.
“Our graduates have gone on to be leaders of industry in a variety of trades, from welding to culinary, and from healthcare to manufacturing and this year’s class will be no different. They have forged strong futures in the workforce through their time at BOCES and their experiences with our business partners. National Signing Day will highlight the valuable roles they will serve in the growth of the local, regional, state and even national economies.”
An estimated two dozen students from across the spectrum of workforce development programs offered at Capital Region BOCES will take part in the event.
Among the businesses expected to be on hand for the event is Greno Industries in Schenectady.
“In our experience, working with BOCES has been the most successful pathway to find new talent,” said Human Resources Manager Patrisia Sherman. “Students come to us with hands-on experience and defined ideas of the [career] paths they want to pursue.”
The Capital Region BOCES National Signing Day is affiliated with the SkillsUSA National Signing Day, which mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college.
SkillsUSA National Signing Day is designed to celebrate high school seniors and college/postsecondary students who have chosen to pursue a career as a professional in any of the skilled trades.
Students who will be signing letters of intent hail from several area school districts that have committed to work in industries ranging from construction and land development businesses to unions, automotive and diesel engine repair shops and car dealerships.
Approximately 1,400 high school juniors and seniors from at least seven area counties attend approximately 40 different programs—ranging from Electrical Trades to Automobile Trades Technology, Game Design and Implementation, Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers and Diesel Technology—at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Schools. Working with more than 300 business, industry and education partners, these students gain valuable training and professional certifications, as well as work-based learning experiences that fuel their passion for success.
The Capital Region Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is the sixth largest BOCES in New York state and delivers more than 300 educational and administrative services to its 24 component school districts. Combined, these districts educate more than 80,000 students in Albany, Schoharie, Schenectady and Saratoga counties of New York state. In addition, Capital Region BOCES provides several services to more than 150 school districts outside of the Capital Region.
