February is Career and Technical Education Month® (CTE), a time to celebrate our schools, programs, staff, and students who are working to develop the essential skills required for today’s workforce. Students choose a different type of education when they choose CTE; more hands-on, physical, and career focused.
With our country facing a significant skills gap, these students are stepping in to fill the void. A CTE program not only prepares them for a successful career but also ensures our workforce remains competitive and resilient.
Join us as we highlight and celebrate all things CTE this CTE Month. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.
Questar III BOCES Electrical Trades student Cameron VanDyk is a junior at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from Berlin Central School District. This brand-new program launched this school year, with Cameron being part of its inaugural class.
“I wanted to do something outside of regular school that would give me an opportunity to do more and figure out what I want to do in the future,” stated Cameron.
While only a junior, Cameron is already making post-graduation plans, which include going to college to continue his electrical education. However, he did share that if he was presented with an employment opportunity, he might consider entering the workforce. One benefit to students in a CTE program is the certifications they earn. So far, Cameron has earned his OSHA10 and anticipates more certifications in his senior year.
“It feels good knowing I won’t have to do extra work to get certified later on,” Cameron said. “It means I can get into a job sooner.”
Until then, Cameron is focused on learning the technical skills required for an electrical career. He credits his teacher, Mr. Bruno, for ensuring he and his classmates understand the material.
“Mr. Bruno is great,” said Cameron. “If we don’t understand something, he’ll slow down and go back until we totally understand it. He’s been an electrician for many years. It feels a lot better knowing that when we’re doing hands-on work, he knows what to do, instead of someone who is learning with us.”
CTE programs can help students interested in a particular field narrow down exactly what type of career they’d like to pursue. Cameron shared that in electrical, you can work in commercial, residential, or even be a lineman and said his experience here is helping him narrow down his decision. Cameron said his dream job would be an Electrical Design Engineer.
“I want to be the person who designs all the electrical work in buildings, instead of going off of blueprints that someone else made,” said Cameron.
When asked if he had any advice for other students considering a CTE program, he said, “Sign up. It can give you a head start instead of waiting until after high school.”