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CTE Signing Day Celebrates Students Entering the Workforce

Families and members of the school community watched students, who have successfully secured the first step to their future by committing to employment, sign letters of intent.  These students have chosen to maximize their high school experience with career training and industry recognized certifications.

Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs, Nancy DeStefano said that one of the reasons WSWHE BOCES is holding the event is that when she comes into contact with employers and graduates of CTE programs, and they share their experiences with her and other WSWHE BOCES staff, she was able learn how much CTE programs have added to the local economy and that many local businesses depend on graduates of the BOCES. 

“We are excited to make connections between our students and local businesses. We have a number of students who go off to college and into the military. We also want to applaud those students who are going directly into the workforce and feel it is important to celebrate those students,” said DeStefano.

Over 40 high school CTE students and 16 adult students from the Practical Nursing program were recognized, many of which attended the ceremony. They will be entering employment with the following companies: 

Bast Hatfield
Bonacio Metals
Casella Construction 
Cifone Construction Company
DA Collins 
DOTY Machine Works Inc.
Fort Hudson Health System
Glens Falls Hospital
Green Mountain Building Services
Hartford Highway Department
Home of the Good Shepherd
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
KOKE Industries
Rozell Industries 
Rutland Regional Medical Center
Saratoga Hospital
Square Nail Rustic 
Telescope Casual Furniture
The Pines
Vermont Traditional Builders 
Washington County Highway Department
 
"The value of learning these trades, and the value to us out there in the field, the contractors, you can't put a number on that," said John Cifone, president of Cifone Construction who addressed the attendees. 
 
Employers happily participated in the ceremony, bringing tools, t-shirts, and other items that the students will use on the job. 
 
CTE is thankful to the businesses who have opened their doors to our students and recognize their potential. 
According to a workforce study commissioned by the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, over the next ten years, the regional economy is projected to add another 12,500 jobs, growing by 14% in 2024.  An additional 24,900 jobs will have to be filled due to replacement demand, bringing the total number of jobs that need to be filled over the next 10 years to 37,400 or about 3700 jobs a year.