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October 5, 2022National Careers in Construction Month: Construction Business Partnerships Help Students Build their Futures
October is National Careers in Construction Month, and there’s no better place for area high school students and adults to learn the trade than at Capital Region BOCES.
Nearly 90 area businesses and institutions regularly collaborate with Capital Region BOCES to build the future of the construction industry in the Capital Region and beyond. Their support is crucial not only to student success, but also to the future of the construction industry.
Some of the partners supporting Careers in Construction Month include Curtis Lumber, MIDTEL, Carver Industries and Lancaster Development, Inc., Tri City Highway Products, Callanan Industries, National Grid, Cobleskill Stone, New York State Department of Transportation, Schoharie County Department of Transportation, Martin Electric, Kamco Supply Co., Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen ,Laborer’s Local 157 Union, the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, International Union of Operating Engineers 158 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
“These partnerships are critical because they allow us to stay on top of what is going on in the industry,” said Capital Region BOCES Senior Executive Officer Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D. “They also help to place students in good jobs that help grow the regional economy and overcome national unemployment trends.”
According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, there are now 375,000 unfilled construction positions, an 11.3 percent increase over 2021 numbers. The situation is expected to get worse as Baby Boomers retire and the economy continues to rebound from the COVID-19-induced halt to much of the workforce.
Seven different programs provide a solid foundation at Capital Region BOCES
From electrical trades to heavy equipment to construction, carpentry, welding and HVAC/R, our programming provides students with pathways to great careers.
Enrollment in our construction-related programs is up 2 percent from last year and 24 percent from two years ago with 342 high school students in attendance. This underscores a greater trend of students and their families realizing the value of the skilled trades.
“We continue to see growth in interest in our programs, yet it doesn’t keep up with the demand from businesses for our students. Our partners know our students bring skills that make them highly desirable in the workforce and as a result we receive requests every day from businesses looking to hire our students.” said Nancy Liddle, senior business liaison for Capital Region.
Nearly all programs provide students with professional certifications, many of which are recognized nationwide by contractors and employers. Many of our adult programs boast a 100 percent career placement.
“I look at BOCES as a long-term solution to recruiting young laborers and skilled workers and having them train and progress and become equipment operators with us,” said Casey Balzer, assistant branch manager for Kamco. Kamco is one of the largest commercial and residential building material suppliers in New York and across the country.
Steve Griffen, vice president of loss control for D.A. Collins Companies, concurred.
“We are looking for bridge carpenters, mechanics, laborers, equipment operators – you name it, we are hiring for it,” Griffen said. “BOCES does a great job with its students.”
In recognition of national Careers in Construction Month, we’re highlighting the growing field of construction trades and will inspire the next generation of craft professionals. Special events will highlight the connections students have with business partners and construction industry training programs.
Capital Region BOCES signed a pledge with Build Your Future to spread the word about the wide range of construction career paths while promoting positive perceptions of construction. We also filed a proclamation with New York state to enlist the governor’s help in commemorating October as Careers in Construction Month.
