Several students in Questar III’s Career Studies and Career & Technical programs at Rensselaer Educational Center either have jobs in their CTE field already or will have jobs in their field after graduation. We celebrated these students at a Signing Day event on June 6. Similar to National Signing Day events for high school athletes, high school seniors were recognized as they signed their “letters of intent” for job offers.
Signing Day
Automotive Services
- Jordan Fearnley, Christian’s Garage
Automotive Technology
- Kenny Shanno, LAL Customs
- Peyton LaBonte, Rifenburg Construction
- Ethan Bruns, Tesman’s Service Station, Troy
- Kody Anuszewski, Warren Fane, Inc.
Construction Technology
- Riston Jones, DeGraff Bloom
Cosmetology
- McKenna Warrington, Supercuts in Clifton Park.
- Abigail Davies, Studio One Hair Designers
- Saige Hofmann, Bella Moda Salon
- Makayla Brundige, Ambiance Salon & Day Spa
Heavy Equipment
- Jake MacNary, Northline Landscaping, Inc.
HVAC
- Jeffrey Finkle, Albany Mechanical Service, Inc.
Several juniors in Questar III’s Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP) were also matched to companies for paid internships over the summer. These students were also honored at a Matching Day event on June 6.
Matching Day
Construction
- Haydn Mills, MMC Millwork/Greco Construction
- Evan Dollard, Proctor’s Collaborative Scene Shop
Heavy Equipment
- Austin Bailey, WJ Keller & Son
- Nicholas Maynard, Burt Crane & Rigging
- Caiden Wrobel, Warren W. Fane, Inc.
HVAC
- Anthony DeRouville, Hudson Valley Community College
These students participated in job shadowing experiences with various business partners during March and April to meet business representatives, showcase their skills, and experience what it is like to work for those businesses. Through job shadowing, both students and businesses alike evaluated the experience and mutually expressed interest in participating in a paid internship with one another.
The internships – which will begin this summer – will give students the unique opportunity to complete more than 200 hours of on-the-job training and examine company culture while satisfying New York State high school Regents diploma requirements.
According to the New York State Department of Labor, skilled trade vacancies have been the hardest to fill in the U.S. for several years. About 53 percent of skilled trade workers in New York State are age 45 and older, which is 10 percent above the average for all other jobs. A large portion of the workforce will need to be replaced in the near future. Through internships, employers will have the opportunity to reach the next generation workforce before others and mold matched students into ideal employees to replace their current workforce.
This year, five graduating seniors accepted job offers because of their Youth Apprenticeship experience. An additional two students were offered positions, but they decided to pursue high education before committing to a position.
For more information on the Questar III YAP, please visit www.questar.org/youthapprenticeship.
