Students learning a skilled trade say that being treated as professionals makes learning easier. 

Whether preparing surgical carts at Albany Medical Center, teaching pre-kindergarten students, or repairing large truck engines under a tight deadline, high school juniors and seniors are taught not just the technical skills necessary to succeed, but the professional skills required in the workplace. Those include how to act professionally, how to handle multiple requests on the job, how to communicate with adults, etc. 

As a result, the students enter the workforce and/or higher learning with a skill set that employers say is severely lacking in many new hires.

“Thanks to BOCES, I have learned a lot about proper communication with employees and customers and I also learned how to properly exceed the customer’s desires and needs,” said Class of 2026 graduate Zoe DeFeo, a Digital Media Design graduate from North Colonie.

“Attending New Visions taught me how to interact with adults independently and practice professionalism and time management,” added Mikaya Goddin, a Class of 2026 New Visions: Health Careers graduate from Scotia Glenville.

Students are taught professionalism, time management, communication and other skills in their daily learning at BOCES. Additionally, nearly every student who graduates from the Career and Technical Education Center takes part in work-based learning, where they take part in internships in area businesses and institutions ranging from manufacturers and automotive dealerships to salons and hospitals.

“During clinicals, I got experience with real life people, I learned how to communicate effectively and clearly, and I gained a lot of professional skills that will help me with my future studies and career,” said Amelia Smith, a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Class of 2026 graduate who was enrolled in the Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program.

“The experience of working in a kitchen and having an environment that helped me learn valuable skills, will last a lifetime,” added Cooper Kelty, a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology graduate from South Colonie.

Numerous reports and studies have found the skills CTE students learn are no longer common among job applicants and new workers. 

A 2026 study reported that as much as 25% of Generation Z job applicants brought a parent with them to a job interview while a separate study by Forbes found that new hires lack communication, collaboration, strategic and critical thinking skills, as well as possess a lower ability to build relationships.

Class of 2026 Manufacturing and Machining Technology graduate Emma Weiland said she was ready to launch her career at P1 Industries because she possesses the skills that so many non-BOCES graduates do not.’

“Thanks to BOCES, I’m stepping into my future with real skills, confidence, and incredible support behind me,” the Shenendehowa graduate said.