BOCES students from across the state gathered in early March to share their love for Career and Technical Education programs with legislators and demonstrate just how much they’ve learned from them. The BOCES CTE Fair at Cornerstone at the Plaza, which was part of NYSUT’s annual Committee of 100 lobby day, was organized to send a message legislators: Support CTE.
“We are working to increase awareness for updating the BOCES state aid formula,” said Katie DiPierro, president of the Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association. Updating the formula would help these programs meet growing demand; currently programs across the state have lengthy waitlists, she said.
During the event, BOCES students performed CPR, flew drones, took blood pressure, assembled electric circuits, and powered up hand tools. This kind of know-how might sound intimidating to some, but for these students, it’s become second nature.
Natmarie Rodriguez-Pomales, a student at Niskayuna High School, is getting training that taps into her innate talents. “I’ve always had really a passion for taking care of people, including family, friends, anyone really, so when I got introduced into BOCES ... I decided to join, and it was literally the best decision I’ve ever made,” said Rodriguez-Pomales. Thanks to the program, Rodriguez-Pomales will be eligible for her Nurse Assistant certification upon graduation, and then move onto study nursing in college, with the goal of becoming a NICU nurse.
Thanks to the Aviation program at Ulster BOCES student Bryce Buntyn is already working on his pilots’ license. Ulster aviation students get the chance to train on virtual flight simulators and equipment in the classroom and even log actual flight time at a local airport. At the end of the two-year program they are eligible for an FAA-approved pilot’s certificate as either a private pilot or remote pilot. “BOCES allowed me to take what I enjoy ... to do something that normally I wouldn’t be able to do,” said Buntyn, an Onteora High School student and SkillsUSA’s New York State Area IV vice president. “This program, on average, would cost $15 to $30 grand, which would go from start to finish for your pilot’s license, and personally, I would not be able to afford that.”
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