Justin Case receives the UDig NY Jump Start Award. Photo courtesy of UDig NY.
Justin Case, a 2023 Questar III BOCES Heavy Equipment Repair and Operations graduate from the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham and Greenville Central School District, was the recipient of UDig NY’s Jump Start Award. Provided by UDig NY’s Capital Region Damage Prevention Council, this award provides recognition and a monetary award to a BOCES, trade, or high school student who has demonstrated commitment to safety in the excavation or construction fields.
Justin Case received First Place in the “Employment Application” category at the 2023 SkillsUSA Area III Regional competition.
To be eligible for the award, students needed to complete UDig NY’s Certified Excavator in Safe Digging Best Practices (CEP) program and write and submit a personal narrative essay regarding their future in the excavation industry, including the importance of safety. The UDig NY Jump Start Award is part of the Damage Prevention Council’s efforts to promote safety and encourage interest in construction and excavation industries.
Heavy Equipment students like Justin receive several certifications prior to graduation, including UDig NY’s Certified Excavator in Safe Digging. These certifications can put them a step ahead as they continue their education or enter the workforce following graduation.
During his time with Questar III BOCES, Justin participated in SkillsUSA and our Youth Apprenticeship Program. The Youth Apprenticeship Program links students with local, high-wage, high-demand, high-skill careers by providing students with a minimum of 200 hours of paid, on-the-job training during the summer between their junior and senior years. Justin was recognized at our Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day his senior year for accepting full-time employment with Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc. following graduation – the same business he was partnered with for his Youth Apprenticeship Program the summer prior.
Justin Case (seated) poses with (L-R) Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham Principal Ms. Fox & Heavy Equipment Instructors Mr. Nicholsen & Ms. O’Hara during our Signing Day event.
