Several dozen students from the Watervliet and Berne-Knox-Westerlo school districts toured the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center’s Albany Campus on Jan. 13 to learn about the multitude of prospective careers they could prepare for there.
The students met with faculty and current CTE students in a variety of programs, even trying their hands at a few of the skills taught at BOCES.
“I am a hands-on person and I feel being a handyman, like my dad, would be a good thing. He doesn’t have to pay anyone to fix things,” Jonathan Andrade, a sophomore from BKW said.
Adonis Sanders, a Watervliet sophomore, said he likewise enjoyed the visit.
“I like it a lot. I feel like I could be a good electrician. I can’t wait to come here,” he said.
The visits are the first of many during January and February as area high school sophomores and juniors explore educational opportunities that will put them in the fast lane to rewarding careers. Campus visits continue through the first week of February with districts ranging from Shenendehowa to South Colonie and Bethlehem to Sharon Springs scheduled to send students to the Albany and Schoharie CTE campuses.
Current CTE student Tierney Audi, a junior from Cohoes, said BOCES provides students with a great opportunity to learn skills and learn in a “fantastic” environment.
“I appreciate that everyone here has the same drive as me and the same passion for this,” she said.
The prospective students said they see CTE as a great opportunity.
“I like BOCES. I think it could be a lot of help in becoming a nurse,” said Mahalia Williams, a Watervliet sophomore.
Once an education path for those students only seeking vocational skills, 
career and technical education is now a pathway for students looking to build career skills, get a start on their college education or just learn a life skill that will allow them to pay for college. At Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School, more than 70% of high school students pursue higher education, while many others directly enter the workforce with a highly technical skill set such as cooking, network cabling or operating heavy equipment.
Enrollment is currently underway for the 2026-27 school year. For more information on career and technical school programs, go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/.