Students Learn About School To College and Workforce Pipeline With Area Businesses, Educators
A recent visit by area business partners and SUNY Cobleskill educators offered students in our Construction/Heavy Equipment program on our Schoharie campus the chance to network and try out some of today’s top hydraulic-powered tools.
“The real world experiences that were provided to the students were eye-opening and sure to help them as they make choices on their future careers, whether in construction, heavy equipment or both,” said Career and Technical School Construction/Heavy Equipment Teacher David Doherty.
Along with a classroom discussion, students were able experience working with equipment such as the Bobcat Skid-Steer 435 excavator, Bobcat Skid-Steer S630 and John Deere 450K.
“I really enjoyed learning more about hydraulics. I never knew there was so many parts,” said high school junior Remington Lawyer, who attends the Construction/Heavy Equipment program on our Schoharie campus.
SUNY Cobleskill’s Outreach Instructor Ed Wallace said this event is one of the ways the college is working to strengthening its partnership with Capital Region BOCES and the school to college to workforce pipeline.
“In recent years, several students who attended the BOCES program have entered the workforce as technicians and equipment operators, and others have gone on to secondary institutions like SUNY Cobleskill. We are hoping to shine a spotlight on the pipeline of school to college or workforce and show there is a way of having a good paying job right in your home community,” Wallace said.
Along with Wallace, SUNY Cobleskill educators Rob Cross and Tim Gregoire, as well as Bob Rowe of Finke Equipment, Jon Griffin of Nortrax Equipment were on hand to talk with students and assist in the equipment demonstration.
Business and Education Partnerships Offer “Unprecedented Opportunities”
Capital Region BOCES Business Liason Nancy Liddle said Finke, Nortrax, SUNY Cobleskill and more than 300 additional business partners offer our students unprecedented opportunities.
“We are fortunate to have strong business partners to assist us in providing such great opportunities to our students. Real work experiences lead to excellent career choices,” Liddle said.