Each year, Questar III BOCES celebrates Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®, a time to celebrate our students and the opportunities CTE provides. While our students are learning the technical skills required to fill employment needs across our region, state, and country, they’re also developing the soft skills to become great employees and leaders. When a student chooses a CTE program, they’re choosing more than just job training; they’re choosing to be prepared for what comes next, whether that’s college, advanced training, or an immediate career in the workforce. We’re honored to provide them with that foundation.
Join us throughout the month of February as we celebrate all things CTE. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.
Questar III BOCES student Jordan Gales is a senior in the HVAC program at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from East Greenbush Central School District. Jordan was encouraged by his mother to attend a CTE program to learn a trade. With family members who also work in HVAC, it felt like the right program to join.
“At first I had my doubts about HVAC,” Jordan said. “My mom had to break down the pros and cons. And then within my first year, I was like, ‘okay, I actually like this.’”
Jordan shared some of the work they do in the classroom, which encompasses the technical skills required to design, install, and repair HVAC/R systems. He also shared that just like being in the workforce, every day is different.
“One day we could be working with sheet metal, and the next doing something with gas pressures,” Jordan explained. “I wouldn’t say it’s all over the place, but it’s a variety of work. I think it’s better to get started with that earlier than later. You don’t want to be programmed one way, and then when you get to the workforce, it’s completely different.”
Jordan, who takes pre-calculus at his home district, also reflected on the difference between traditional academic classes and the integrated math, science, and English courses of a CTE program.
“Math is definitely a lot easier,” Jordan shared. “It doesn’t need to be overly complicated math. Same with Science. Plus, everything is HVAC related.”
In CTE, academic skills are tied directly to hands-on learning. He is currently working on an English paper, determining the heat loss calculation of a home. This English project ties in a multitude of HVAC related skills and knowledge and will be an addition to his portfolio.
CTE students are taught by specialized teachers who were first professionals in their given field. Jordan’s teacher, Mr. Mottl, brings a wealth of experience and connections to his classroom and has built strong relationships with his students.
“Mr. Mottl is great, we kinda clicked right away,” Jordan said. “I was pretty shy and quiet last year, but he brought out that energetic side of me. It makes me feel great that I can be myself in a classroom like that, especially with a bunch of people I didn’t know (last year). One of the biggest benefits of having him as a teacher is his connections; he knows a lot of people. For him to be able to provide those opportunities to students, I think that’s really awesome.”
While Jordan has thoroughly enjoyed CTE and the HVAC program, he still has other academic and career aspirations to explore. Next year, Jordan plans to explore something totally different in college.
“I want to pursue software engineering. But in case things don’t work out, I’ll have HVAC to fall back on. After high school, I want to start getting more into the workforce, so I’d like to look at doing something part-time with HVAC, but still go to school as well.”
Even though Jordan hasn’t committed to a full-time career in HVAC, that doesn’t mean his time was wasted. He shared how his soft skills have grown through this program, including customer service, communication, and professionalism, emphasizing that “professionalism matters.” As far as technical skills go, he noted that they would still be beneficial in his personal life, allowing him to fix HVAC problems in his own home.
Based on his own experience and growth, Jordan encourages other students to keep an open mind as they decide if CTE is the right path for them.
“Go into it with an open mind,” Jordan said. “Don’t be biased, see what you like, and be ready to learn. Once you get older, you’re not going to have as much time to do things. Now’s the best time.”