A Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake senior is already making a name for herself in the automotive industry thanks to the training she is receiving at our Career & Technical Education – Albany campus.
Octavia Rice is a senior in the Automotive Trades Technology program and is in her second year of work at Capitaland Motors Subaru GMC, where she is helping the technicians and building towards a solid career.
“I like working on cars because ever since I was little, I have liked knowing how to fix things and knowing how things work,” said Rice.
March is Women in the Trades Month
March is National Women in the Trades Month and throughout the month, Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School is shining a spotlight on women in the trades, like Wright, who are challenging stereotypes and building solid futures through their education in our programs.
Rice started work at Capitaland last year because she wanted a job that would coincide with the knowledge and skills she is receiving at BOCES.
“I wanted a job that would go along with what I am learning, and I was already going to BOCES at that point, so that was a good testament to my commitment and skills since BOCES is a highly accredited school,” she said.
Capitaland Motors Service Manager William May said Rice and all the students he has hired from BOCES are assets to his operation.
“BOCES education programs and recruitment events allowed us meet Octavia and Tucker (Cherry). I’m glad we found them,” said May. “BOCES really develops young people into the technicians that we want and need.”
Rice said her interest in auto repair has grown from her initial desire to not be scammed.
“I initially chose the Automotive Trades program to learn more about cars because I have always heard that women are most likely to be scammed, so I wanted to know what the mechanics are talking about, at least the basics so I could work on my own car,” she said.
Rice said she has found support for her decision to pursue a non-traditional career path.
“I have mostly gotten positive feedback about going into the trades and at BOCES,” Rice said.
Teacher Brian Lacroix praised Rice.
“Octavia is a hard worker and is an excellent representative of women in the trades,” he said.
Learn more about Women in Trades and our programs
We celebrate and applaud women in the skilled trades well beyond the month of March but are using this time to encourage even more young women to consider non-traditional career paths by showcasing current female students and successful female graduates. Read more about our Women in the Trades!
Enrollment in programs – including Welding & Metal Fabrication – is currently underway for the 2023-24 school year. Learn more about our career and technical school programs.