The second Capital Region BOCES career fair of the 2024-25 school year connected businesses in search of workers with students looking to expand their options and help their finances.
The Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus Career Fair was held March 26 on the campus. More than 30 employers ranging from Milton CAT to the New York State Police, the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department and Martin Electric to the UA Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters union were present.
Business, government and union representatives said they value the opportunities to build their workforce.
“We have the potential of [hiring] four students that we met with today,” said Scott Lawler, Chief Estimator for LeChase Construction. “Getting a student with some training and integrating them into training programs and getting them into the workforce is always great.”
Chris Sniffen of the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department sounded a similar message.
“The students have been great. They are very attentive and mission-oriented. We had a great question-and-answer session with them this morning,” he said.
“I have done this in colleges and schools before, and the list I put together [at BOCES] today of interested students is very impressive,” Sniffen added.
Students said they appreciated the opportunity to identify future employers.
“I loved it. I got to meet a lot of people in the industry, I got an application, and I was able to learn a lot about the different opportunities that are out there,” said Trista Smi, a Welding and Metal Fabrication junior from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.
Nancy Liddle, Managing Program Coordinator for Business & Community Partnerships at Capital Region BOCES, highlighted the significant impact of the event on both students and businesses.
“Our career fairs serve as a vital bridge, connecting students with industry leaders and professionals, fostering meaningful relationships that go beyond networking. These connections open doors for internships, mentorships, work-based learning, job shadowing, and future career opportunities, benefiting both students and businesses alike. It’s about creating pathways for growth, innovation, and collaboration that pave the way for long-term success in our community and workforce.”
Capital Region BOCES hosts several career fairs throughout the school year while working with more than 300 business, union and education partners to fuel the regional and state economies. Through these partnerships, students can launch careers directly out of high school or land jobs that will help them pay for future educational opportunities.
The first career fair of this school year was held in February for students in the Cosmetology program; another career fair for students on the Albany Career and Technical Education Center campus will be held on April 2. Yet another fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration students will be held April 10.